The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Wednesday, September 30, 2020 issued new guidelines for reopening of schools, colleges and educational institutions after October 15.  The MHA stated, “For re-opening of schools and coaching institutions, State/ UT Governments have been given the flexibility to take a decision after 15th October 2020, in a graded manner. The decision shall be taken in consultation with the respective school/ institution management, based on their assessment of the situation.”

The MHA further added that the decision shall be taken with considering the following conditions:

• Online/ distance learning shall continue to be the preferred mode of teaching and shall be encouraged.
• Wherever schools are conducting online classes and if some students prefer to attend online classes rather than attending physically, they may be permitted to do so.
• Students may attend schools/ institutions only with the written consent of parents.
• Attendance must not be enforced and depend entirely on parental consent.
• States/UTs will prepare their own SOP regarding health and safety precautions for reopening of schools/ institutions based on the SOP to be issued by Department of School Education and Literacy (DoSEL), Ministry of Education, Government of India, keeping local requirements in view.
• Schools, which are allowed to open, will have to mandatorily follow the SOP to be issued by Education Departments of States/ UTs.
• Department of Higher Education (DHE), Ministry of Education may take a decision on the timing of the opening of Colleges/Higher Education Institutions, in consultation with Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), based on the assessment of the situation. Online/distance learning shall continue to be the preferred mode of teaching and shall be encouraged.
• HEIs will be permitted to reopen from Oct 15 only for research scholars (PhD) and post-graduate students in science and technology stream requiring laboratory/ experimental work.
• For Centrally Funded Higher Education Institutions, the Head of Institution will satisfy herself/ himself that there is a genuine requirement of research scholars (PhD) and post-graduate students in science and technology stream for laboratory/experimental works.
• For all other Higher Education Institutions like state and private Universities, they may open only for research scholars (PhD) and postgraduate students in science and technology stream requiring laboratory/experimental works as per decision to be taken by the respective State/UT Governments.

Read: Class 9-12 students may visit schools on a voluntary basis: MHA guidelines

Also read: Karnataka: Reopening of colleges postponed

Also read: Tamil Nadu: Lockdown extended till Oct 31; withdraws decision to reopen schools