Odisha schools -- both English and Odia medium schools -- are reopening for Classes 8 and 11 after a gap of 18 months due to the pandemic. The government has issued guidelines for Covid-19 safety.lass 11 students can resume physical classes from October 21 while Class 8 students will resume from October 25.
In a letter to the DEOs (District Education Officers) Satyabrata Sahu, Principal Secretary, School and Mass Education Department, clearly mentioned detailed guidelines about reopening of schools amid strict Covid-19 protocol for the safety of students.
The guidelines issued by the state government are as below:
Ahead of the reopening of schools, teachers and the School Management Committee will convene a meeting from October 17 to 24 to chalk out plan for resumption of physical classes for Class 8 students on October 25.
Cleanliness and sanitization of school will begin from October 17. The headmasters of respective schools will submit detailed report about the cleaning activities to the DEO a day before opening of schools.
Since the schools will reopen after 18 months, on the first two days i.e. October 25 and 26, the teachers will guide the students with extra-curricular activities, debate competitions, singing, drawing etc.
Students who are now in Class 8 have not studied anything in Class 7. However, they might have a good hold over the curriculum of Class 6.
Keeping these factors in mind, the teachers will hold assessment tests for the students on October 27 (Odia), October 28 (Maths) and October 29 (English). The questions papers will be provided by OSEPA and SCIRT.
The principals will ensure that students, who are not coming to school, should also appear the assessment test from home. After the assessment test, the principals will impart remedial teaching.
The principals will compulsorily take classes on a daily basis and also inspects classes taken by other teachers.
Every day, the principals or headmasters will hold a 30-minute meeting with teachers after the classes conclude.
CRCC, ABEO, BEO, ADEO, DEO/DPC will regularly monitor the schools. SEP will functionalise the school monitoring application to make the process more effective.
As per the government norm, the DEOs will appoint guest teachers wherever needed.
If any student or teachers are found suffering from cold or cough, they will not be allowed into the school premises. The district collectors will take final call on opening of school in their respective areas.
Instead of cooked food, the students will be provided dry food in their mid-day meals.
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.
source and Credit: INDIA TODAY
