Bhubaneswar: As per the unlock guidelines issued by the Odisha government on Saturday, all the Anganwadi centres across the State will reopen from February 1, 2021.
The School and Mass Education Department has been directed to prepare a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for primary schools and decide on the opening of such schools with necessary approvals from the State government.
The department of Higher Education has also been authorised to take appropriate decision with regard to the date of re-opening of Colleges/ Higher Education Institutions and hostels under its control/ superintendence/ supervision by following the guidelines/ SOP issued by the Department/ UGC/ AICTE/ Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India.
Apart from this, the Department of Skill Development and Technical Education is also authorised to take appropriate decision with regard to the date of reopening of Engineering Colleges and other Technical Education/ Skill Development Institutions and Hostels under its control/ superintendence/ supervision in a graded manner in compliance with the guidelines, the official notification read.
Notwithstanding closure of Academic/ Technical/ Skill Development Institutions, the followings will be permitted:
-Conduct of examinations (including academic, competitive and entrance tests), evaluation and other administrative activities.
-Online/ distance learning shall continue to be permitted and shall be encouraged
-The concerned department may permit teaching and non-teaching staff to be called to the School/ College/ Institution for online teaching/ tele-counselling and related work, in areas outside the Containment Zones only as per Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) issued by the Ministry of Education/ Health & Family Welfare (MoHFW),
-All training activities including skill and professional development
Local Authority including District Magistrate/ Municipal Commissioner are authorised to permit public worship in religious places/ places of worship with appropriate restrictions, based on local assessment of the situation with regard to spread of COVID-19 and in due consultation with relevant stakeholders, with observance of COVID-19 safety protocol.
It is pertinent to mention here that all Medical Colleges of the State have been allowed to reopen with effect from December 1, 2020. Medical College Authorities shave been asked to follow all the SOPs /guidelines with respect to social distancing and prevention of spread of epidemic issued by Central/ State Government, scrupulously.
The department of School and Mass Education, ST/SC Development, Minorities and Backward Classes Welfare Department, Social Security and Empowerment of Persons With Disabilities are allowed to take appropriate decision with regard to the date of reopening of schools and hostels under their control in respect of classes from Standard 9 to 12 in a graded manner by observing the guidelines and SOP.
(Edited By Pradeep Singh)