S. Vishnu Sharma
Education Ministry guidelines (Government of India) have come out in connection with reopening of schools across the country.
Schools across the nation have shut their doors to students more than four months ago owing to outbreak of corona virus. Not only exams, but also classroom sessions could be conducted in a smooth manner.
Education Ministry guidelines
Now as the whole nation is gradually moving towards unlock where normalcy is returning to all sectors.
Amidst a talk that schools would likely become refunctional after October 15 in the fifth phase of unlock, Education Ministry guidelines were brought out in connection with reopening of schools.
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Sources say, these guidelines have been brought out by Education Ministry in consultation with Department of School Education and Literacy (DoSEL).
As per these Education Ministry guidelines, schools and coaching centres can start functioning again in a phased manner.
However, the final decision in connection with school reopening lies with the respective state governments of administration of Union Territories, say the Education Ministry guidelines
Sources from Education Ministry said states or Union Territories can form their Standard Operating Procedure keeping in view the situation in their respective areas.
Sources from DoSEL said the schools which are permitted to open should follow the guidelines issued by their respective state governments or Union Territory (UT) administration based on SOP issued by DoESL.
Speaking about the Education Ministry guidelines, Union Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank said students can attend the physical classrooms with the prior consent of their parents.
Students who donot desire to go to schools can continue their education online. Schools also have to be flexible with regards to attendance.
Another important point in the Education Ministry guidelines is that the schools must take up extensive disinfection work of classrooms, ground, water tanks, furnitures, washrooms and laboratories on its premises.
Also, entry and exit at schools must be planned in such a way that social distancing is ensured, say Education Ministry guidelines.
The other point in the Education Ministry guidelines is that students, teaching staff and non-teaching staff in schools must wear mask at all times.
The Education Ministry guidelines further mention that schools must collect information about the current health status of all students.
Education Ministry guidelines clearly mention that schools must also have the contact information about healthcare centres and emergency service points that are at their nearest.
Another important feature in the Education Ministty guidelines is that there would be no assessment for a duration of 2 to 3 weeks post school reopening.
While schools resume classes, ICT and online learning must also continue to receive encouragement. Education Ministry guidelines further say schools can follow alternative academic calendar of NCERT.
Education Ministry guidelines also stress the need to follow precautions while serving mid-day meals in schools.
While announcement has been made for reopening of schools, things are likely to show a different picture on the real front.
Education Ministry guidelines have come out in connection with reopening of schools across the country.
However, it looks like it would take some more time for the institutions to become refunctional.
As reopening of schools is in the hands of state governments and Union Territory administration, one has to wait and see as to how actual school reopening scenario would unfold.
T. Shanmugam, a physics teacher for class 12 says the situation is not yet safe and so not all may be ready for school reopening as of now.
The situation is not yet safe and amidst the present scenario it is safe to continue with online education itself, says K. Ram Kumar, also a teacher.
Though guidelines were issued by Education Ministry and central government gave an okay for school reopening, things may differ from state to a state.
Delhi government is said to have decided against bringing back students to school in the present situation.
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As far as Uttar Pradesh is concerned, state government gave a go-ahead for school refunctioning, however the decision has been left to the district authorities in the state and they will give an approval for restarting of schools based on local COVID-19 situation.
There are various interpretations as of now. Schools could work on alternate days, or once in two days.
If schools have very high enrolments, then they could even consider operating in shifts, so that they can conduct academics and also adhere to safety norms like social distancing.
West Bengal is said to have made a decision to not reopen schools till mid November. Maharashtra also seems to not favour school reopening as of now.
Southern Indian state Tamil Nadu also has refrained from opening of schools. It also cancelled its earlier decision of opening of schools from 1 October.
Sources say, decision to keep schools shut was taken after many parents have refused to send their children to school.
Tamil Nadu School Education Minister K.A. Sengottaiyan also said state Chief Minister will decide as to when the schools would be made refunctional.
The health and safety of students are of high importance for the state government amidst the present pandemic and no decision has been made with regards to opening of schools.
Another southern Indian state Karnataka also is yet to decide when schools will start operating in the state.
Karnataka Minister for Primary and Secondary Education S. Suresh Kumar said state government has not yet taken any decision on school reopening.
Sources point out that given the current situation in Karnataka, the decision to open schools is not likely to be taken soon. Even Andhra Pradesh also has decided to postpone school reopening till 2 November.
One has to wait and see as to how the situation would unfold as the time moves ahead. A few other sections of parents and students felt time was too early for schools to reopen. We are yet to ensure that atmosphere is safe, says M. Radhakrishnan, a parent of a 12th class student.
‘It is good for the Education Ministry guidelines to come out now as this will offer clarity, however, decision on opening schools should not be done in a hurry.’
Students can continue studying their lessons online till the physical classroom sessions begin, says Radhakrishnan.