Assam Guwahati/IBNS: The Assam government has issued a comprehensive set of Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for the reopening of schools in the state from January 1 next year.
The SOP includes the opening and functioning of primary schools (Class 1-5) upper primary schools (Class 6-8) secondary schools (Class 9-10), senior secondary schools (Class 11-12), degree colleges, engineering colleges, polytechnics and private educational institutions as well as government and private training and coaching institutes, universities in the state which started functioning on a staggered basis with effect from January 1, 2021.
The order issued by B Kalyan Chakravarty, Principal Secretary of Assam Education department on December 28 stated that, "The Assam government had extended the academic year till March 31, 2021 and subsequently w.e.f. April 1 to March 31 every year, primarily to recover the loss in academic days and also bring the session at par with India level."
"Considering the importance of continuous education, the Government of Assam has decided to start re-opening of Lower Primary schools from Class I to V onwards from 1st January/2021. However, online mode of education will continue for students who prefer to attend online classes rather than physically attend school," said the government order.
The Assam Education department also said in the order that the SOP is applicable for private educational institutions as well as coaching institutes. The private institutes have to follow the guidelines.
"Attendance of students must not be enforced and shall be purely based on parental consent. Students below the age of 5 years cannot attend the School. The Head of the Institution, President of SMC/SMDC of the Schools shall ensure that the cook cum helpers are to do COVID test (Swab test) before resuming regular cooking and serving of hot cooked midday meal in the schools.
"Regular COVID test for cook cum Helpers is required to be ensured and has to be done after a gap of every 30 days or in case of any symptoms of fever, cough, difficulty in breathing etc., All concerned stakeholder/ functionaries are to take necessary steps for resuming regular cooking and serving of hot cook midday meal to the children in the school campus based on the attendance of the students as per staggered timing mentioned in the SOP," said in the government order.
The government order also stated that, "Before the schools reopen in respect of Lower Primary Schools (Class I-V) R.A.T. of all teachers/cooks/staff members have to be done and thereafter periodic testing at an interval of 30 days from time to time.
"And considering the huge number of teaching and non-teaching staff of institutions the time factor involved in testing (both testing and value of results) testing has to be planned by District Administration in view of the various challenges in conducting such a large number of tests."
The state Education department has also issued some guidelines for cook cum helpers and said that, "Wearing face masks will be mandatory during cleaning, washing, cutting, cooking and serving meals. Nail polish or artificial nails should not be worn because they can become foreign bodies and might compromise on food safety."
The student must produce a written permission from parents while coming to attend classes.
Guidelines for Lower Primary (Elementary) Schools :
(a) Classes will be held on every alternate day for all the classes from Class Ito Class V.
(b) In respect of class IV & V formal classes will be conducted on every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
(c) In respect of Class I, II & III, formal classes will be conducted on every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.
(d) In respect of all Classes from Class I to V, classes will start from 09:00 A.M in the mottling, and will end at 01:45 P.M. with lunch break (Mid Day Meal) from 12:15 P.M. to 12:45 P.M.
(e) The In-Charge Headmaster/headmistress of the Louver Primary School shall supervise and ensure that the timing of classes, serving of Mid Day Meal, maintenance of all safety Protocol relating to COV ID-19 Pandemic shall be strictly done and monitored.
(f) The Residential Hostels will not function until further orders in respect of Louver Primary (Elementary) Schools.
(g) In respect of attendance of Students of Lower Primary (Elementary) Schools attendance is not compulsory and will be based purely on parental consent.
(h) In addition to formal classes online classes will also continue if found necessary.
(i) Meetings in schools (formal and informal) will not be allowed in the Educations) Institution premises.
(j) There will be no cultural function, meetings etc., until further orders.
Upper Primary Schools (Class VI to VII), Secondary Schools (Class IX and X and SrSecondary Schools (Class- XI and XII) :
(a) In respect of Upper Primary Schools, Secondary Schools and Sr. Schools (both Govt. and Non-Govt. Educational Institutions), the schools will function in normal manner w.e.f. 1/1/2021 on all working school days (On daily basis) through formal education and the schools will adhere to the timing of classes, Mid-day-Meal etc., as per norms, instructions and Rules inforce issued by the Govt. from time to time prior to declaration of Lock Down in the State of Assam (i.e. prior to 24/3/2020). However the Head of the Institution will ensure that all safety COVID-19 protocols are strictly followed.
(b) The Residential Hostels will not function except final year students.
(c) In respect of attendance of Students of Upper Primary Schools (Class VI to VII), Secondary Schools (Class-IX and X) and Sr. Secondary Schools (Class- XI and XII) the same is not compulsory and will be based on parental consent.
(d) In addition to formal classes online classes will also continue if found necessary.
(e) Meetings (formal and informal) will not be allowed in the Educational Institution premises.
(f) There will be no cultural function, meetings etc., until further orders.
Degree Colleges/Engineering Colleges/Polytechnics/Teacher Training Colleges/ Universities:
(a) In respect of Degree Colleges/Engineering Colleges/Polytechnics/Teacher Training Colleges/ Universities etc., the same shall function normally on day to day basis as per academic calendar w.e.f. 1/1/2021/ guidelines issued by UGC/AICTE . However the Head of the Institution will ensure that all safety COVID-19 protocols are strictly followed.
(b) The Residential Hostels will not function except for final year students.
(c) In respect of attending Degree Colleges /Engineering Colleges/Polytechnics/Teacher Training Colleges/ Universities attendance of Students is not compulsory.
(d) In addition to formal classes online classes will also continue if found necessary.
(e) Meetings in the Educational Institution premises (formal and informal) will not be allowed.
(f) There will be no cultural function, meetings etc., until further orders.
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