Students from class 1 standard to primary attended school in Assam for the first time since the CORONA-19 pandemic nearly two years ago, following strict health protocols and other guidelines. Six months after re-opening sometime in April this year, physical classes for the upper primary section also resumed, only to be closed again that month as a second wave of the pandemic struck.
However, online classes will continue for those who opt to stay at home, as per the new standard operating procedures issued by the state government. School said attendance was low, especially in the lower primary section. He said that the premises of the educational campus have been sanitized completely and all CORONA-appropriate behaviour is being followed, including wearing of face masks and maintaining social distancing.
As per the new SOP, (Standard Operating Procedure) physical classes for standard 1 to Standard 8 will be conducted on alternate days of the week, while from class 9 the classes will be on daily basis. A maximum of 30 students are allowed per section of a class. As per the SOP, the parents or guardians will also have to give written consent for their children to attend the physical classes.
Meetings and cultural programs are not allowed inside the school premises. Physical classes for final year students of higher secondary, degree, post-graduation as well as technical courses have already resumed from September 6, while those for class 10 have resumed from September 20.
The decision to reopen educational institutions was taken in view of the improving CORONA-19 situation in the state, with the Deputy Commissioner of a district declaring these closed if the positivity rate exceeds the 2% mark on a particular day. In case of detection of any CORONA-19 positive case in a school, the local government authority has to be informed, and classes resume the next day only after all students and staff are tested, as per the new Standard Operating Procedure (SOP).
The notification said that if multiple positive cases are detected, the educational institution will be closed for seven days. At least one dose of CORONA-19 vaccine is mandatory for all teaching and non-teaching staff, while both doses are mandatory for boarders and staff of hostels and residential schools, except for final year students below the age of 18.
