Rashmi Ranjan

The School and Mass Education department on Monday issued an advisory as classes for Standard XI and VIII are all set to start from October 21 and 25, respectively.

According to a notification issued by the School and Mass Education department, a meeting between teachers and managing committee of schools will be held between October 17 and 24 for class VIII students with an emphasis on maintaining cleanliness in the schools.

The headmasters have been asked to intimate the District Education Officer (DEO) a day before the opening of schools, the notification added.

Similarly, there will be no classes for the first two days as teachers and managing committee members will be holding discussions with the students. 

The students will be provided dry foods instead of cooked meals in the school, the notification stated.

There will be a special examination on October 27, 28 and 29 and attempts will be made to develop fearless environment in the school, the notification read further.

The School and Mass Education Department on Friday had issued a complete Standard Operating Procedure (SOP).

As per the SOP, the classes for Standard 8 (elementary education) will be held from 9 am to 12:30 pm. Similarly, the class timings for Standard 11 students will be between 10 and 1 :30 pm.

Provisions to be made in schools:

-For ensuring social distancing and queue management inside and at the entrance of the premises, specific markings on the floor/ground with a gap of 6 feet should be made. 

-Inside classrooms, students should be made to sit at safe distances/alternate desks. Fixed seating should be ensured. A particular seat/space should be earmarked for each student (for example: based on roll number) so that there is limited exposure to other students' physical spaces. 

-Physical distancing shall also be maintained in staff rooms (by earmarking seats for teachers at an adequate distance), and other common areas (mess, libraries, cafeterias, etc.) with relevant markings as required.

-If available, temporary space or outdoor spaces (in case of pleasant weather) may be utilized for conducting classes, keeping in view the safety and security of the children and physical distance protocols. 

-There must be adequate soap (solid/liquid) and running water in all washrooms and toilets. Hand sanitizers etc. for the teachers, students, and staff must be available mandatorily in each classroom.

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