Education department has issued SoP for opening of schools
With the drop in corona cases in the State, classrooms at schools will come alive today after an unprecedented 22 months gap, courtesy the Covid 19 pandemic. On January 31, the state disaster management authority allowed schools to open for class I and above in seventeen districts. In the remaining seven districts, where Covid cases are still high, classes from Class IX and above will be conducted.
The seven districts where schools will open partially for standard IX and above are Ranchi, East Singhbhum, Bokaro, Chatra, Deoghar, Saraikela and Simdega. Schools will be allowed to conduct exams both on-line and off-line mode.
The Department of School Education and Literacy has issued Standard Operating Procedure (SoPs) for opening up schools. As the decision to reopen schools was taken by the state disaster management authority on January 31, educational institutions will be asked to make all necessary arrangements such as sanitization of classrooms and other premises.
As per the SoPs issued by the department, there will be no morning prayers or any other cultural events at schools. Games and sports activities too were prohibited during the period. Also at classrooms seats will be at a distance of six metre and teachers will also have to follow the same directive.
It has also been instructed that teachers taking classes will have to get both the doses of vaccination and there will be biometric attendance of teachers. Wearing of masks and use of sanitizers has been made mandatory for students and teachers. To deal with any type of emergency situation, the government has issued helpline numbers and local health officials.
Respective schools have been instructed to make arrangements of soaps and sanitizers at school premises. Students entering the school premises will be thermally scanned and there will be regular check-up of students and teachers by the district administration.
The government has also allowed residential schools to operate, but students studying at residential schools have to submit an affidavit signed by their parents allowing them to study. However, those students who are sick can pursue their studies from home.
While on one hand schools will resume after months, the department has also given its nod for operation of mid-day meals at schools after 22 months. Mid-day meals at schools have been suspended since March 16, 2020. Cooks preparing meals have to get both doses of vaccination.
Meanwhile, students too are excited after reopening of schools after months. Amit Kumar, a class X student at DAV said, “We are very excited to attend the classroom teaching after months. We are excited to meet our friends, teachers after a long gap.”