Centre issues new school reopening guidelines; states to decide on consent of parents

NEW DELHI: The ministry of education has issued modified guidelines for school reopening to curb the spread of Covid-19, Omicron variant. As per the revised Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) issued by the ministry, the state governments and union territories can decide whether the consent of parents or guardians are required for students to attend physical classes.

The new SOP for school reopening issued by the ministry of education directed the states to ensure a smooth transition of students from home-based schooling to formal schooling by preparing and implementing a school readiness module or bridge course in the classroom.

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“The state and UT may decide at their level whether their school are required to take the consent of the parents of the students for attending the physical classes,” states the modified school reopening SOP.

The ministry also asked schools to identify students based on their learning levels and asked to introduce remedial programmes and also improve the reading and numeracy skills of students.

As a measure to stop drop-outs, the ministry has urged states that have amended their state Right to Education (RTE) rules to allow for detention in Classes 5 and 8 to consider relaxing the rules this year.

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To ensure the emotional wellbeing of students and teachers, the Centre has initiated a MANODARPAN programme covering a wide range of activities for the mental health wellbeing of students and teachers.

In addition, the ministry asked states to make specific markings to manage queue and ensure social distancing. Sanitising of school classroom and transportation, proper disinfection of frequently touched surfaces, students deboard to be done using 1% sodium hypochlorite solution/spray and physical distancing while distributing mid-day meal under PM Poshan are also to be implemented.