GUWAHATI: The government of Assam has released the Standard Operating Procedure guidelines (SOP) for the reopening of schools from January 1, 2021.
The SOP includes the opening and functioning of upper primary schools (Class-VI, VII & VIII) secondary schools (Class-IX, X), senior secondary schools (Class-XI, XII)/degree colleges/engineering colleges/polytechnics/private educational institutions as well as government and private training and coaching institutes/universities in the state of Assam which started functioning on a staggered basis and w.e.f 1st January, 2020.
The comprehensive SOP released by the government will come into force from 1st January, 2021.
1. The Government of Assam had extended the academic year till 31st March, 2021 and subsequently w.e.f. 1st April to 31st March. Start of every year primarily to recover the loss in academic days and also to bring the session at par with all India level. Considering the importance of continuous education, the government of Assam has decided to start re-opening of lower primary schools (from class I to V onwards) from 1st January 2021. However, online mode of education will continue for students who prefer to attend online classes rather than physically attend school. This SOP is also applicable for private educational institutions as well as coaching institutes. The private institutes have to follow the guidelines as cited in the following paragraphs.
2. Lower Primary (Elementary) Schools:
(a) Classes will be held on every alternate day for all the classes from (Class I to Class V).
(b) In respect of class IV & V, formal classes will be conducted every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
(c) In respect of Class I, II & III, formal classes will be conducted every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.
(d) In respect of all Classes from Class (I to V) classes will start from 09:00 AM in the morning and will end at 1:45 PM with a lunch break (midday meal) from 12:15 PM to 12:45 PM.
(e) The in-charge headmaster/headmistress of the lower primary school shall supervise and ensure that the timing of claim, serving of midday meal and maintenance of all safety protocols relating to COVID-19 pandemic shall be strictly done and monitored.
(f) The residential hostels will not function until further orders in respect of lower primary (elementary) schools.
(g) In respect of attendance of students of lower primary elementary schools, attendance is not compulsory and will be based purely on parental consent.
(h) In addition to formal classes online classes will also continue if found necessary.
(I) Meeting in schools (formal and informal) will not be allowed on the educational institution premises.
(j) There will be no cultural function, meetings, etc until further orders.
