On Monday the Ministry of Education published the reopening of schools, which included comprehensive cleaning and disinfection of premises. It also requested states and Union territories to create their own Standard Operating Procedure.
Ministry has stated in a series of guidelines for the phased reopening of schools from 15 October: “Schools must arrange and enforce for thorough cleaning and disinfection in all areas, mobilizations, supplies, stationery, storage areas, water tanks, kitchens, cantinas, washing rooms, labs, libraries and ensure air flow indoors.
“Schools should be encouraged to make their own SOPs in compliance with guidelines provided by states and UTs and to ensure protection and physical and social distance standards, and to prominently display and disseminate the announcements, posters, letters, correspondence to parents in this regard,” she said.
The Ministry proposed flexible attendance and sick leave policies to schools.”Flexible attendance and sick leave policies should be developed and enforced to enable students and staff to remain at home while they are sick. Students are only permitted to attend school with written permission from parents.
“No assessment will continue to be encouraged up to 2–3 weeks of reopening school, and use of ICTs and on-line learning,” he said. Universities and schools across the country were instructed to stop the spread of coronavirus on 16 March. On 25 March, a national lockdown was declared by the Center.
Although many restrictions have been progressively eased since June 8 in various phases of “Unlock,” educational institutions are still closed down.
But schools, colleges and other educational institutions may reopen outside containment zones after October 15 according to the most recent unlock guidelines. The decision on the reopening of schools has been left to the countries and territories.
The schools are able to introduce the re-adjusted school calendar and the revamped ACP annual curriculum plan (Annual Curriculum Plan), corrective lessons or execute re-school campaigns, among other measures,, “the guidelines said.