School Reopening Guidelines
Schools that have been closed for more than 5 months are now going to open in a phased manner. For this, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has issued Standard Operating Procedure (SOP). Regarding this, Health Minister Harsh Vardhan said that the schools will be opened in a phased manner. All those coming to school will have to constantly monitor health. Spitting everywhere will be prohibited. The guidelines clearly state that along with the state helpline number in the school, the phone numbers of local health officials will also be displayed.
Such seating arrangement of students from laboratory to classrooms will have to be maintained at least 6 feet distance between them. Gathering of students i.e. assembly and sports related activities will be prohibited as it will risk spreading the infection.
Teachers or staff living in Containment Zones are not allowed to attend school. Schools that were used as quarantine centers have been instructed to sanitize well before being partially opened. All schools were instructed to sanitize with hypochlorite solution.
Standard Operating Procedure on partial opening of Covid-19 schools in all states and Union Territories by the Directorate General of Health Services, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare as part of the nationwide unlocked phased process (SOP) released on Tuesday, 8 September 2020. The Ministry has asked all the States and Union Territories to allow them to open schools on a voluntary basis for students in classes from 9th to 12th, following these SOPs. The standard operating procedure issued by the Ministry of Health is to be implemented from September 21, 2020.
8th September, 2020
Government of India
Ministry of Health & Family Welfare
Directorate General of Health Services
(EMR Division)
SOP for reopening of Schools for students of 9th to 12th classes on a voluntary basis, for taking guidance from their teachers: In the context of COVID-19
See complete details here
Instructions issued
Precautionary measures in schools include teachers, staff and students ensuring a physical distance of at least six feet, covering the face, frequent hand washing, adherence to respiratory etiquette, health monitoring, and place- Spitting place not included. People have been asked specifically about this. Online or distance learning should continue to allow and encourage students of classes 9 to 12 to visit the school on a voluntary basis to seek guidance from their teachers.
Students must not be pressurized
Students will have the freedom to come to school voluntarily. No student will be forced to come to school. Children will come to school only with the written permission of their parents. The ministry has also said that distance education and online learning will have to be continued. For this, 50 percent teachers can be called to school. The swimming pool at the school will be kept closed. The air conditioner temperature has to be kept between 24-30 degree Celsius. Humidity will have to be kept between 40-70 percent. Arrangements will have to be made for cross ventilation and clean air.
