New Delhi, September 30: State government are allowed to open schools in a graded manner from October 15, said the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) as it released Unlock 5 guidelines on Wednesday. The new guidelines stated states can take their decisions on the opening of schools in consultation with the concerned institutions. Asserting that attendance won't be mandatory, the Unlock 5 guidelines said students can attend classes with the written consent of parents.
In regards to the opening of schools, the Department of School Education and Literacy (DoSEL), under the Ministry of Education, will issue a standard operating procedure or SOP, based on which states can prepare their own SOPs keeping local requirements in view. Under the Unlock 5 guidelines, the Ministry of Education is allowed to take a call on the opening of colleges. "Online or distance learning shall continue to be the preferred mode of teaching," it stated.
Unlock 5 Guidelines For Opening of Schools And Colleges:
- For re-opening of schools and coaching institutions, State/ UT Governments have been given the flexibility to take a decision after 15th October 2020, in a graded manner. The decision shall be taken in consultation with the respective school/ institution management, based on their assessment of the situation, and subject to the following conditions:
- Online/ distance learning shall continue to be the preferred mode of teaching and shall be encouraged.
- Where schools are conducting online classes, and some students prefer to attend online classes rather than physically attend school, they may be permitted to do so.
- Students may attend schools/ institutions only with the written consent of parents.
- Attendance must not be enforced, and must depend entirely on parental consent.
- States /UTs will prepare their own SOP regarding health and safety precautions for reopening of schools/ institutions based on the SOP to be issued by Department of School Education and Literacy (DoSEL), Ministry of Education, Government of India, keeping local requirements in view.
- Schools, which are allowed to open, will have to mandatorily follow the SOP to be issued by Education Departments of States/ UTs.
- Department of Higher Education (DHE), Ministry of Education may take a decision on the timing of the opening of Colleges/ Higher Education Institutions, in consultation with Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), based on the assessment of the situation. Online/ distance learning shall continue to be the preferred mode of teaching and shall be encouraged.
- However, Higher Education Institutions only for research scholars (PhD) and post-graduate students in science and technology stream requiring laboratory/ experimental works will be permitted to open from 15th October, 2020, as under:
- For Centrally Funded Higher Education Institutions, the Head of Institution will satisfy herself/ himself that there is a genuine requirement of research scholars (PhD) and post-graduate students in science and technology stream for laboratory/experimental works.
- For all other Higher Education Institutions e.g. State Universities, Private Universities etc., they may open only for research scholars (PhD) and postgraduate students in science and technology stream requiring laboratory/experimental works as per decision to be taken by the respective State/UT Governments.
Schools in India have been shut since March when the country went under lockdown to stop the spread of coronavirus. Some relaxations had been given to students of classes 9 to 12 under the Unlock 4 guidelines.
Schools and coaching institutions were permitted to reopen from October 15, 2020, in a phased manner under Unlock 5.0 guidelines, but with no compulsory attendance. Parents needed to provide consent for their children to attend, and online learning remained the preferred mode of teaching. States and UTs were responsible for developing their own specific SOPs in line with the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare guidelines.
Key Guidelines for School Reopening:
Voluntary Attendance:Attendance was not mandatory, and students could continue with online learning if they preferred, with parental consent.
Parental Consent:Schools needed to obtain written consent from parents before allowing students to attend physical classes.
Online Learning Continuation:If schools were conducting online classes, students could opt to continue with online learning instead of attending physical classes.
State/UT SOPs:States and UTs were to prepare their own detailed standard operating procedures (SOPs) for the reopening of schools, based on the guidelines issued by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
Containment Zones:Schools located within containment zones were to remain closed.
Thorough Cleaning and Disinfection:Schools were required to ensure thorough cleaning and disinfection of all areas, furniture, equipment, and other frequently touched surfaces.
Social Distancing and Hygiene:Schools were to implement social distancing measures, such as staggered entry/exit timings, separate gates, and maintaining a distance of 6 feet between students. Face masks, hand hygiene, and thermal screening were also mandatory.
Flexibility in Attendance:Schools were to ensure flexibility in attendance and accommodate students who preferred online learning.
Transition from Home-Based Learning:Schools were to facilitate a smooth transition from home-based learning to formal schooling.
Priority for Students without Online Access:Schools were to prioritize students who did not have access to online learning for physical classes.
Emergency Care and Hygiene Task Forces:Schools were to form task forces for emergency care and to ensure proper hygiene protocols.
The guidelines include thorough cleaning and disinfection of the premises, students to be given flexibility in attendance, no assessment for up to 3 weeks, and ensuring a smooth transition from home-based schooling during the coronavirus-induced lockdown to formal schooling.
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