In the month of August, as India touches the 20 lakh benchmark from 15 lakh cases in a record 9 days, the central government is in discussions to chalk out a plan to reopen schools from the month of September.
The government is of the view that schools for higher classes could begin in a phased manner between September and November.
Guidelines include opening schools first for classes 10-12 and then for classes VI-IX, which have been discussed with GOM for Corona headed by Health Minister Dr Harshvardhan.
In the first phase, students of classes X-XII will be asked to attend schools. If a school has four sections in any class, only two sections will attend school on alternative days.
The timings of the school will be halved — from 5 to 6 hours to just 2 to 3 hours. While schools will continue to run in shifts, one hour will be given in between for school premises to be sanitised.
Schools have been proposed to run on 33% staff and student strength.
Discussions within the group of Secretary indicates that government feels it’s not best to all students of preprimary and primary classes. In such cases, online studies must continue. Discussions within the group of secretary indicate that government feels it’s not best to all students of preprimary and primary classes. In such cases, online studies must continue.
The decision could be notified as part of the final unlock guidelines to be issued later this month. However, the final decision could be left with states on how to bring back children to schools.