Central Government Notifies SoP For Partial Opening Of Schools For Classes IX-XII On Voluntary Basis [Read SoP]

Key instructions for opening of schools are as follows:

• Only such schools that are situated outside containment zones shall be allowed to open.
• Students, teachers and employees living in containment zones will not be allowed to attend the school.
• Students, willing to visit the school, must produce a written consent of their parents/guardians.
• All schools have been instructed to continue Online/distance learning and it is clarified that merely because schools have been opened on voluntary basis, online classes will not be stopped.
• Outdoor spaces may be utilized for conducting teacher student interactions, if the weather so permits.
• Cafeteria/mess facility shall remain closed.
• Students should not be involved in any of the cleaning activities for health safety reasons.

After opening of schools

• Entrance to have mandatory hand hygiene and thermal screening provisions; Multiple gates/ separate gates 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 nearest health center.
• Staggering of guidance activities to be done, with separate timing slots, to allow for adequate physical distancing and disinfection of classroom premises.

For conducting skill-based training in workshops/laboratories

• For practical activities in laboratories maximum capacity per session based on redesigned spaces, may be planned and scheduled accordingly.
• Ensure a floor area of 4m² per person is available for working on equipment/work station.

Psycho-social wellbeing

• Ensure regular counselling is done for students and teachers reporting mental health issues such as anxiety and depression.

SOP to be followed in case a student/teacher/employee develops symptoms (fever, cough, difficulty in breathing)

• Place the ill person in a room or area where they are isolated from others.
• Inform parents/guardians as the case may be.
• Patient will remain isolated while wearing a mask/face cover till such time they are examined by a doctor.
• Immediately inform the nearest medical facility (hospital/clinic) or call the state or district helpline.
• A risk assessment shall be undertaken by the designated public health authority (district RRT/treating physician) and accordingly further action be initiated regarding management of case, their contacts and need for disinfection.
• Disinfection of the premises to be taken up if the person is found positive.

Other instructions

It is intimated that all the norms for social/ physical distancing, wearing/ disposal of personal protective equipment, sanitization of premises and common property such as computers, library books, etc., will have to observed by the school.

Read Full Instructions in the SoP