Centre Allows State Govts to Decide on Reopening Schools and Colleges after Oct 15 in Phased Manner

The new guidelines issued by the government on Wednesday said the decision to reopen schools, colleges, educational institutions and coaching institutions can be taken by state governments after October 15 in a graded manner.

“For re-opening of schools and coaching institutions, state/UT governments have been given the flexibility to take a decision after October 15, in a graded manner. The decision shall be taken in consultation with the respective school/institution management, based on their assessment of the situation, and subject to the following conditions,” said the guidelines.

a.) Online/distance learning will continue to be the preferred mode of teaching and encouraged.

b.) Where schools are conducting online classes, and some students prefer to attend online classes rather than physically attend school, they may be permitted to do so.

c.) Students may attend schools/institutions only with the written consent of parents.

d.) Attendance must not be enforced, and must depend entirely on parental consent.

e.) States/UTs will prepare their own SOP regarding health and safety precautions for reopening of schools/ institutions based on the SOP to be issued by Department of School Education and Literacy (DoSEL), Ministry of Education, Government of India, keeping local requirements in view.

f.) Schools, which are allowed to open, will have to mandatorily follow the SOP to be issued by Education Departments of States/UTs.

g.) Department of Higher Education (DHE), Ministry of Education may take a decision on the timing of the opening of Colleges/ Higher Education Institutions, in consultation with Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), based on the assessment of the situation. Online/distance learning shall continue to be the preferred mode of teaching and shall be encouraged.

However, Higher Education Institutions only for research scholars (Ph.D) and post-graduate students in science and technology stream requiring laboratory/ experimental works will be permitted to open from October 15 as under:

a.) For Centrally Funded Higher Education Institutions, the Head of Institution will satisfy herself/ himself that there is a genuine requirement of research scholars (Ph.D) and post-graduate students in science and technology stream for laboratory/experimental works.

b.) For all other Higher Education Institutions e.g. State Universities, Private Universities etc., they may open only for research scholars (Ph.D) and postgraduate students in science and technology stream requiring laboratory/experimental works as per decision to be taken by the respective State/UT Governments.