The Punjab government announced on October 12, 2020 that it had decided to reopen schools and coaching institutions from October 15 in a graded manner. According to the statement issued by the state government, students of classes 9 to 12 can be allowed to attend classes after a written consent from the parents.

However, the schools shall continue with online classes as a preferred mode of teaching. Besides, attendance would not be compulsory when schools reopen. 

The government also issued new SOPs for reopening of schools which stated that not more than 20 students per section would be allowed. An official said, “The schools, which are being allowed to open after October 15, will have to mandatorily follow the standard operating procedures, to be issued by the School Education Department.”

The advisory to reopen schools from October 15 was sent to the Additional chief secretary, Department of Home Affairs and Justice by the Secretary, School Education Department, Punjab last week.

Further, the statement by the state education department also noted that schools would be functional for three hours every day and students of classes 9 to 12 only would be allowed to attend the school. The schools are required to follow all SOPs – maintaining social distancing, personal hygiene, wearing of masks, and sanitization inside the premises. It should be ensured that a minimum distance should be maintained between 2 students. Teachers may be called in 2 shifts of 3 hours each where students are more in number.

The education department also said, “Higher educational institutions only for research scholars and post-graduate students in science and technology streams laboratory work are also permitted to open after October 15.”

Source: Times Now

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