Schools to reopen from September 21 for Classes 9 to 12, Health Ministry issues guidelines

The government ordered the closure of the schools and other educational institutions in the month of March due to the outbreak of the novel coronavirus followed by the nationwide lockdown imposed in order to contain the deadly virus.

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare allowed reopening schools for resuming activities in Classes 9 to 12 from September 21. After months of closure, the ministry has now agreed to open the academic institutions. According to the reports, the ministry said that students of these classes can come to school on a “voluntary basis.” Talking about the reopening of schools, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, in the guidelines, said: “The Government of India is following a phase-wise unlocking of activities. In days to come, this would also involve partial resumption of activities in schools for students of Classes 9 to 12 on a voluntary basis for taking guidance from their teachers. This would be allowed from September 21, 2020.”

The Ministry of Health posted an official tweet via its official Twitter handle regarding the issued guidelines. Check the tweet below:

The ministry also issued social distancing guidelines such as the strict use of face masks, maintaining six feet distance between students, installation of Aarogya Setu application, the prohibition of spitting, etc. Detailed guidelines issued by the Ministry regarding the reopening of schools are mentioned below:

• Seating arrangement to ensure a distance of 6 feet between chairs, desks, etc.
• Staggering of guidance activities to be done, with separate timing slots, to allow for adequate physical distancing and disinfection of classroom premises.
• The teaching faculty will ensure that they themselves and students wear masks throughout the conduct of the teaching/guidance activities.
• Sharing of items like notebook, pens/pencil, eraser, water bottle, etc. amongst students should not be allowed.
• Entrance to have mandatory hand hygiene (sanitizer dispenser) and thermal screening provisions.
• Multiple gates/separate gates, if feasible, should be used for entry and exit.
• Only asymptomatic persons (teachers, employees and students) to be allowed in the premises.
• If a teacher/employee/student is found to be symptomatic, he/she should be referred to the nearest health center.
• Posters/standees on preventive measures about COVID-19 to be displayed prominently.
• Proper crowd management in the parking lots, in corridors and in elevators – duly following physical distancing norms shall be organized.
• The entry of visitors should be strictly regulated/restricted.
• Students, teachers and employees living in containment zones will not be allowed to attend the school

The government ordered the closure of the schools and other educational institutions in the month of March due to the outbreak of the novel coronavirus followed by the nationwide lockdown imposed in order to contain the deadly virus.

To check the complete guideline CLICK HERE

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