With corona pandemic scare likely to impact functioning of all establishments and institutions for some time to come, the Centre is devising new guidelines for the modus operandi of academic institutions.
Sources in the HRD Ministry said that new seating arrangements in classrooms, hostels, common spaces, libraries and assembly among others keeping in mind the social distancing mantra to fight COVID-19 will be enforced when the classes resume.
For schools, suspension of morning assemblies and sports activities in the playground, norms for school buses, do's and dont's in washrooms and cafeterias and regular disinfection of entire buildings, could be part of the guidelines even as masks will be a mandatory part of school uniforms. For residential schools, guidelines will detail social distancing norms to be followed in messes and hostels.
A HRD Ministry official said whenever schools and colleges reopen, proper social distancing norms will have to be followed as health and safety of students have 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.
Universities and schools across the country have been closed since March 16 when the Central Government announced a countrywide classroom shutdown as one of the measures to contain the COVID-19 outbreak. Later, a nationwide lockdown was announced on March 24, which was extended till May 3.
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-19 situation in a particular area will also be have to kept in mind and the institutions will have flexibility to adapt to the guidelines accordingly.
The Minister has reiterated many times that the safety and health of students has to be prioritised," said the official.
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 and certain spaces in the campuses will have to be revamped to ensure social distancing," the official added.
HRD Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal 'Nishank' had also deliberated upon the issue of safety guidelines in a meeting with state education ministers last week. Nishank will interact with students from across the country through webinar on Saturday afternoon.
Several Indian Institutes of Technology (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.
As per UGC recommendations, semester exams can be conducted in July either online or offline.
"So, far the exams happening online, the safety guidelines will have to be followed and same will apply to conduct of competitive examinations," the official said.
Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has reiterated that it will conduct pending class 10 and 12 board exams in 29 subjects but has not announced the schedule yet.