Schools in Punjab to reopen from October 15 for Classes 9 to 12; Check details here

Schools in Punjab to reopen on October 15 for Classes 9 to 12, the state government announced.

Punjab Government has announced that the schools across the state will reopen on October 15 for classes 9 to 12. The decision was taken in line with the guidelines issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs regarding schools reopening after October 15. The government has issued new SOPs for reopening of schools that includes permitting not more than 20 students per section.

The advisory to reopen schools from October 15 was sent to the Additional chief secretary, Department of Home Affairs and Justice by the Secretary, School Education Department, Punjab on Wednesday.

As per the official notification, the Education Department of the state, schools will be opened only for 3 hours every day and those who are studying in Classes 9 to 12 will only be allowed to attend the school. All safety measures including social distancing, personal hygiene, wearing of masks, and sanitization to be strictly followed inside the school premises.

Along with this, a minimum distance should be followed between 2 students that have been imposed by the Health Ministry in their SOPs. No two students should be allowed to sit on the same bench and the minimum distance between the two benches shall be adhered to. Teachers may be called in 2 shifts of 3 hours each where students are more in number.

While many states have decided to reopen schools for students from October 15 in a graded manner, some states are not ready to risk the lives of the students amid a pandemic. 

Maharashtra Higher and Technical Education Minister Uday Samant, has said that the situation in the state is not appropriate to allow physical classes in schools and colleges. On the other hand, the Karnataka government has decided to take expert opinion before reopening schools and colleges in the state.

Read More:

• Karnataka Government seeks opinion of experts on reopening of schools and colleges
• Unlock 5.0 guidelines: Education Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank issues SOPs for reopening of schools
• Reopening schools, colleges not suitable in this situation: Maharashtra Education Minister