Schools in Nagaland reopen on ‘voluntary’ basis from today

September 21, 2020 385 Views No Comment

Morung Express News
Dimapur | September 20

After more than five months of closure, schools in Nagaland have been allowed to reopen partially from September 21.

The relaxation was announced by the State Government on September 18 for students of classes 9 to 12 and for the skill/entrepreneurship training institutions or centres on a voluntary basis.

The partial opening means that students will be allowed to visit their schools on a voluntary basis to clear their doubts and take guidance from their teachers.

Prior to the visit, the students will have to avail a written consent of their parents and guardians and the reopening is subject to strict adherence to the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).

Up to 50% of teaching and non-teaching staff may be permitted to be called to the schools at a time for online teaching/ tele-counselling and related work, in areas outside the Containment Zones only, subject to strict adherence to the SOPs issued.

As the reopening is voluntary, which schools would be receiving students in their premises is yet to be ascertained.

Principal Director, School Education, Nagaland Shahnavas C told The Morung Express that the partial reopening is purely voluntary, based on the students’ need to visit the schools for taking guidance from their teachers.

In the days following the reopening, the situation would be assessed and data of how many schools opened and the response/attendance of students would be available only after that. “We will have to wait and see,” he said.

The Centre had asked the States to take the final call on resuming classes during the ongoing pandemic, and Nagaland government decided to relax its March 17 order of closure of schools during the pandemic.

It joins other states like Assam, Meghalaya, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Haryana and Jammu and Kashmir which have decided to reopen schools from Monday.

Delhi, Gujarat, Kerala, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand and West Bengal have reportedly decided against allowing classes to resume.

Checklist summary for students and schools
• Only schools outside containment zones are allowed to open.
• Written permission from parents for students to attend schools.
• Thermal screening and mandatory hand hygiene at the entrance.
• Only asymptomatic persons to be allowed inside the school premises.
• All work areas, utility areas of schools to be sanitized.
• Up to 50% of teaching and non-teaching staff may be permitted to be called to the schools at a time.
• Alternate arrangements in place of biometric attendance to be ensured.
• Physical distancing of at least 6ft to be followed.
• Mandatory face masks/covers.
• Assemblies, sports and events that can lead to overcrowding are strictly prohibited.
• Cafeteria/mess facility not allowed.
• Staggered guidance activities with separate timing slots.
• Sharing of stationery not allowed.
• Online classes will continue.