School Reopening Guidelines: Schools to open from 9th to 12th from 21st September, Ministry of Health released SOP

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.

There will also be an option to study online

The SOP on behalf of the Union Health Ministry states that permission for online / distance learning will continue. Schools can call up to 50 percent of their teachers and non-teacher staff for online teaching / telecounseling and other related activities. Students from ninth to 12th will be allowed if they want to go to school to seek guidance from their teachers. However, they will have to obtain written consent from their parents or guardians. Students will also have the option to study online. 

Instructions issued 

Precautionary measures in schools will include teachers, staff and students, including 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 and allow students of classes 9 to 12 to visit the school on a voluntary basis to seek guidance from their teachers.

Students will 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.