Barring those in containment zones, schools in Uttar Pradesh will reopen on Monday for students of Class IX to XII. An SoP has been issued by the state on health, sanitation and mandatory protocols for the schools, which will be resuming since their closure in March due to the pandemic, reported Hindustan Times.
The government has made the sanitisation of premises, on a regular basis, mandatory before every shift. Deputy chief minister Dinesh Sharma on October 10 said, “In the first phase, Classes 9 to 12 may start in these schools. The schools must run in two shifts of smaller durations, to ensure student safety.”
The guidelines and rules to be followed by schools, students and teachers upon reopening are as follows:
- The classes will be held in shifts, and the schools will have to follow all necessary protocols, including sanitisation of premises and social distancing.
- The first shift is to be attended by students of Class 9 and Class 10, while the second shift may be attended by Class 11 and Class 12 students. Only 50% of students can be called in one day, while the remaining 50% have to come the next day.
- Only after written permission from the parents or guardians will the students be allowed to attend the classes. The UP government has stated that no student should be forced to come to school.
- Online teaching is still encouraged by the UP government. The physical attendance of students without access to online classes should be given priority.
- Students will be seated at a distance of 6 feet from each other. Proper distancing in seating arrangements, and regular sanitisation of school buses is also mandatory.
- Masks have to be compulsorily worn by students, teachers and staff. The school management also has to keep masks in reserve.
- Authorities in all schools will have to provide sanitiser, hand wash, thermal scanning and arrangement for primary treatment. If a teacher, student or employee exhibits symptoms of cold and fever, they will be sent home after primary treatment.