Unlock 4.0: Schools to reopen for Classes 9 to 12 from 21 Sep on voluntary basis; Centre issues guidelines

New Delhi: Disallowing sharing of notebooks, pens/pencils,water bottles etc among students, prohibition of assemblies and sports, encouraging online learning, entry of asymptomatic persons are some of the health ministry’s guidelines for partial reopening of schools for students of Classes 9 to 12 from 21 September on a voluntary basis. However, written consent of the students’ parents or guardians will be required and such visits for teacher-student interactions must be organized in a staggered manner, the guidelines stated. According to the ‘SOP for partial reopening of Schools for students of 9th to 12th classes on a voluntary basis, for taking guidance from their teachers: In the context of COVID-19’, a seating arrangement has to be made to ensure a distance of 6 feet between chairs, desks etc and the teaching faculty will ensure that they themselves and students wear masks throughout the conduct of the teaching/guidance activities. “Sharing of items like notebook, pens/pencil, eraser, water bottle etc. amongst students should not be allowed. Cafeteria/mess facility, if any within the premises, shall remain closed,” the SOPs stated. For ensuring queue management inside and outside the premises, specific markings on the floor with a gap of six feet may be made. Similarly, physical distancing shall also be maintained in staff rooms, office areas including reception area, and other places such as mess, libraries, cafeterias, etc. Weather permitting, outdoor spaces may be utilized for conducting teacher-student interactions, keeping in view the safety and security of students and physical distancing protocols, the guidelines said. The concerned teaching and non-teaching employees (up to 50 percent of the strength) may be called to schools for online teaching/tele-counselling and related work. “Installation and use of the Aarogya Setu App may be advised wherever feasible,” the SOPs said. Appropriate back-up stock of personal protection items like face covers/masks, visors, hand sanitizers etc shall be made available by management to the teachers and employees, it said. “Provide an adequate supply of thermal guns, alcohol wipes or one per cent sodium hypochlorite solutions and disposable paper towels, soap, IEC materials on COVID. Pulse oximeter to check oxygen saturation levels of any symptomatic person must be arranged,” the guidelines stated. The guidelines also call for ensuring regular counselling for students and teachers reporting mental health issues such as anxiety and depression. “It is advisable that teachers, school counsellors and school health workers should work in unison to ensure emotional safety of the students,” it said. Entrance should have mandatory hand hygiene (sanitizer dispenser) and thermal screening provisions. For conduct of skill-based training in workshops/laboratories, a floor area of four square metre per person should be made available for working on equipment or work stations. Cleaning and regular disinfection (using 1 pc sodium hypochlorite) of frequently touched surfaces (door knobs, elevator buttons, hand rails, chairs, benches, washroom fixtures, etc.) to be made mandatory in all class rooms, laboratories, lockers, parking areas, other common areas etc. before the beginning of classes and at the end of the day, the guidelines stated. “All employees who are at higher risk i.e. older employees, pregnant employees and employees who have underlying medical conditions to take extra precautions. They should preferably not be exposed to any front-line work requiring direct contact with the students,” the guidelines said. If the transportation facility is being managed by the school, proper physical distancing, sanitization of buses/other transport vehicles (with one percent sodium hypochlorite) shall be ensured. Prior to resumption of activities, all work areas intended for teaching/demonstrations etc., including laboratories, other common utility areas shall be sanitized with 1 per cent sodium hypochlorite solution, with particular attention to frequently touched surfaces. Schools that were used as quarantine centres will be properly sanitized and deep cleaned before partial functioning is resumed. In case a student/teacher/employee develops symptoms, the ill person should be in a room or area where they are isolated from others and the nearest medical facility (hospital/clinic) should be informed.