Government to reopen Schools for claas 9 to 12 with several SOP AND GUIDELINES | school reopens | students life at risk!

Government issues SOP for partial reopening of schools for classes 9 to 12 from September 21:

The ministry of health and family welfare on Tuesday issued detailed guidelines for reopening of schools for students of Classes 9 to 12 on a voluntary basis starting September 21.

All schools reopening on September 21 would be required to have thermal guns at the school gates to check temperature of teachers and students. Before opening, schools would completely sanitise the classrooms and ensure availability of 1% hypochlorite solutions, alcohol wipes and sanitisers. Schools that were turned into quarantine centres would need to ensure deep cleaning of the premises before they reopen.

Schools would function at 50% capacity and online classes would continue. Students of Classes 9 to 12 would have the option of attending classes virtually or physically on a voluntary basis. A student would need written permission from parents to attend school. The ministry has suggested that rather than closed classrooms, the schools should utilise open spaces outdoors for student-teacher interaction if the weather permits. Mess and canteens inside the schools would remain closed. There would be no assembly, sports or events which could lead to overcrowding of schools.

Masks would be mandatory at all times for students, teachers and non teaching staff. Frequently touched surfaces like door knobs, elevator buttons, hand rails, chairs, benches, washroom fixtures would be cleaned with hypochlorite solution. Teaching materials, computers, laptops, printers, shall be disinfected with 70% alcohol wipes.

Deep cleaning of all drinking and hand washing stations, washrooms and lavatories would be ensured. Students and teachers would be asked to dispose of used face covers and masks in separate covered bins placed in classrooms and common areas. These would remain stored for three days in the bins and then disposed of as dry general solid waste after cutting shredding. The schools would not be allowed to involve students in cleaning activities.

SOP: At the entry point

Entrance to have mandatory hand hygiene (sanitizer dispenser) and thermal screening provisions.

Multiple gates/separate gates, if feasible, should be used for entry and exit.

Only asymptomatic persons (teachers, employees and students) to be allowed in the premises.

If a teacher/employee/student is found to be symptomatic, he/she should be referred to nearest health center.

Posters/standees on preventive measures about COVID-19 to be displayed prominently.

Proper crowd management in the parking lots, in corridors and in elevators – duly following physical distancing norms shall be organized.

Entry of visitors should be strictly regulated/restricted.

Planning and scheduling of activities

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.

iGOT online modules training course on ‘basic awareness on COVID’ may be undertaken by all employee and students during online interactions or guidance sessions on the first day.

Additional Protocol

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.

Assemblies, sports and events that can lead to overcrowding are strictly prohibited.

The schoolshould display State helpline numbers and also numbers of local health authorities etc. to teachers /students / employees to contact in case of any emergency.

For air-conditioning/ventilation, the guidelines of CPWD shall be followed which emphasizes that the temperature setting of all air conditioning devices should be in the range of 24-30 degrees C, relative humidity should be in the range of 40-70%, intake of fresh air should be as much as possible and cross ventilation should be adequate.

Lockers of students will remain in use, as long as physical distancing and regular disinfection is maintained.

Gymnasiums shall follow MoHFW guidelines

Swimming Pool (wherever applicable) shall remain closed.