Covid-19 | Education Ministry Releases SOPs For Reopening Of Schools — Check Full Guidelines

The ministry, however, said the students willing to study from home with the consent of the parents may be allowed to do so.

(File Photo/ Getty)

New Delhi: The Union Education Ministry on Thursday released the guidelines for reopening of schools, which remain closed in view of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The ministry, however, said the students willing to study from home with the consent of the parents may be allowed to do so.

“@EduMinOfIndia has prepared the guidelines/SOP for the reopening of schools. Proper cleaning & sanitation facilities. Flexible, staggered & reduced timings for different classes. Students willing to study from home with the consent of the parents may be allowed to do so,” PIB India tweeted.

The schools reopening guidelines issued by the Education Ministry are as follows:

• Ensuring and monitoring proper cleaning and sanitation facilities in the school
• Maintaining at least six feet distance between students in the seating plan
• Social distancing to be maintained in the staff rooms, office area, assembly hall and other common areas
• Flexible, staggered and reduced timings for different classes
• Schools not to undertake school events where social distancing is not possible
• All students and staff to arrive at school wearing a face cover/mask and continue wearing it all through
• Social Distancing to be maintained during the distribution of PM POSHAN (Mid-day meal)
• Sanitation of school transportation on a regular basis
• School driver and conductor shall maintain social distancing at all times and ensure social distancing among students in the bus/cab
• Ensure adequate distance between beds in hostels
• Social distancing must be maintained all the time in hostels
• Screening of every boarder to be done before they start staying at the hostel
• States/UTs to take the consent of parents/guardian before their child/ward begins attending schools
• Students willing to study from home with the consent of the parents may be allowed to do so
• Allow flexibility in attendance
• Make a Comprehensive Alternative Calendar of Activities for the whole year with learning outcomes in focus
• Conduct mock safety drills on how to keep safe from COVID-19 to ensure sensitization and awareness
• Focus on the most vulnerable students (homeless/migrated students, students with disabilities and students directed affected by COVID-19 through a family death or hospitalization) to prioritize their needs
• Ensure provision of assistive devices and learning content as per the needs of the CwSN
• Facilitate smooth transition of students from home-based schooling during lockdown to formal schooling
• Taking care of emotional wellbeing of students and teachers
• Manodarpan National toll-free helpline number 8448440632 and web page

The Union Education Ministry officials informed that schools are fully open in 11 states, partially opened mainly for higher classes in 16 states and continue to remain closed in nine states.

“Taking into account the extensive vaccination coverage, the ministry of education had issued revised guidelines to states in December last year and the decision to ask for parents’ consent was left with states,” PTI quoted Sweety Changsan, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Education, as saying during a press conference.

Changsan said the revised guidelines talked about congregations and gatherings, which were earlier banned in schools.

“As per new advisory, schools may celebrate events and hold gatherings according to the SOPs issued by concerned state,” she added.

Meanwhile, Niti Aayog Member (Health) Dr. V.K. Paul said the government keeps reviewing the guidelines regarding the schools reopening.

“These emphasize how schools have to be run as per evidence-based SOPs. We hope that by using these guidelines there is a safe way of reopening schools,” he added, ANI reported.