Schools, colleges to ensure distancing after reopening

New Delhi, May 1

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New seating matrix, staggered classes, different mess and library rules, revamped hostels and canteens, could be part of students’ socially distant lives in schools and colleges when they return, with the HRD Ministry forming safety guidelines to be followed whenever classroom learning is resumed.

Universities and schools across the country have been closed since March 16 when the Centre announced a countrywide classroom shutdown as one of the measures to contain the Covid.

According to HRD Ministry officials, whenever schools and colleges reopen, proper social distancing norms will have to be followed as health and safety of students has to be the priority.

The guidelines are being formed by the Ministry’s Department of School Education and Literacy for schools and by the University Grants Commission (UGC) for universities and higher education institutions.

While the UGC has already recommended that academic session for freshers may begin in September and for enrolled students in August, schools are also doing teaching learning activities through different virtual mediums.

“The guidelines will include a checklist and recommended measures to ensure student and staff safety. However, the Covid situation in a particular area will also have to be kept in mind and the institutions will have flexibility to adapt to the guidelines accordingly,” a senior official said.

“The guidelines are being formed and will also be shared with states so they can prepare accordingly before reopening schools and colleges. Districts will be tasked with the implementation of the guidelines,” the official said.

For schools, suspension of morning assemblies and sports activities in the playground, norms for school buses, dos and don’ts in washrooms and cafeterias and regular disinfection of entire buildings, could be part of the guidelines and masks will be mandatory part of school uniforms. For residential schools, guidelines will detail social distancing norms to be followed in mess and hostels.

Several IITs are also working on chalking out ways for students to follow social distancing, including restricting entry of visitors, classes in shifts and staggered laboratory timings. — PTI

Measures to be taken

• Suspension of morning assemblies
• No sports activities
• Norms for schoolbuses
• Regular disinfection of buildings
• Staggered classes
• Different mess, library rules

PhD, MPhil exams online

New Delhi: The UGC and the HRD Ministry are planning to conduct the PhD and MPhil exams online. Union Human Resource Development Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank said, “Phd, MPhil exams, practicals, viva etc. can be conducted through Skype or any other meeting apps.” IANS