Education Ministry releases guidelines for school reopening

NEW DELHI : Education minister Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’, on Monday, released the complete guidelines for school reopening in India.

In the guidelines, the ministry said that alternative academic calendars should be framed for the whole year and that these calendars may be “realigned for the whole year in accordance with the emerging situation”.

The ministry also said that reintegration of students will take priority once schools reopen.

The ministry of home’s (MHA) Unlock 5 guidelines had left the states to decide on the guidelines of reopening schools according to the situation in each state.

Education minister Ramesh Pokhriyal, through his official social media handle said: “States/UTs to prepare their own standard operating procedure (SOP) regarding health and safety precaution for reopening of schools based on the SOP to be issued by Department of School Education & Literacy (DoSEL), Ministry of Education. States/UTs may adopt or adapt the SOP as per local context and requirements.”

The ministry said that the needs of the most vulnerable students, including homeless and migrant children and those directly affected by COVID-19, will be given priority.

As per the guidelines, schooling will alternate between home-based and the formal system and the modes of learning will be through face to face instruction, individual assignments and group based projects.

Ramesh Pokhriyal said: “Students may attend schools only with the written consent of parents. There will be flexibility in attendance norms. Students may opt for online classes rather than physically attend school.”

The guidelines also recommend training modules for improving the information and communication technology (ICT) skills of teachers.

Also read:

• Replace exams with other academic assessments upto Class 9: NHRC
• HC: MHA, education dept to decide plea for college students to stay in hostels during exams

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