Call researchers, final year students first — UGC issues guidelines for reopening colleges

In its latest guidelines, UGC asks institutes to extend teaching hours in a day and adhere to a six-day schedule so classes can be conducted in phases to ensure social distancing.

UGC building in New Delhi | Manisha Mondal | ThePrint file photo

New Delhi: The University Grants Commission (UGC) Thursday released guidelines for reopening of colleges and universities that were closed due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The UGC had in September revised the academic calendar to say that the classes will begin in November.

In its latest guidelines, the UGC has said that colleges should preferably call research students and those in the final year of their course back to campus, and others should be encouraged to study from home through online/distance mode.

“Universities and colleges may plan opening the campuses in phases, with such activities where they can easily adhere to social distancing, use of face masks and other protective measures. This may include administrative offices, research laboratories and libraries etc. Thereafter, students of all research programmes and post-graduate students in science and technology programmes may join as the number of such students is comparatively less and norms of physical distancing and preventive measures can be easily enforced,” the guidelines read.

The other students have been asked to stay at home and continue with online studies, and visit college only when they need to consult faculty, after taking a prior appointment.

Students have also been asked to download the Centre’s Covid-tracking Aarogya Setu app.

Extended teaching hours, classes on rotation basis

Under its guidelines, the UGC has asked institutes to extend teaching hours and follow social distancing norms.

“Before reopening of any campus, the Central or concerned State Government must have declared the area safe for opening of educational institutions,” the guidelines say.

Institutes have also been asked to adhere to a six-day schedule so that classes can be conducted in phases.

The UGC adds that universities and colleges may consider reducing the class size and split them into multiple sections to maintain physical distancing. Depending on the availability of space in classrooms or learning sites, up to 50 per cent students may be allowed on a rotation basis to attend the classes, the guidelines say.

Proper sanitisation of classrooms, common places, washrooms and other places should be undertaken regularly, the UGC said, besides asking colleges to come up with a proper seating plan to ensure social distancing.

Rules for reopening hostels

The UGC has also issued a separate set of rules for reopening of hostels, which state that students coming from other cities should either provide a negative Covid certificate or stay in quarantine before joining the hostel, to avoid the risk of infection.

“There should be no crowding in hostel areas where students live in close proximity and share common facilities and utilities. Hence, their numbers need to be limited appropriately to avoid crowding. Also, hostel students should be called in phases,” the guidelines read.

The guidelines also mention thermal screening of all resident students and referring them to the nearest Covid treatment facility for clinical assessment and treatment.

“Density in dining halls, common rooms, playing areas should be limited, keeping in view the requirement of physical distancing and hygiene conditions should be regularly monitored in kitchens, dining halls, bathrooms and toilets etc,” the guidelines add.

The UGC notice also states that in order to maintain cleanliness in dining areas, meals should be served in small batches, over-crowding should be avoided and takeaway options should be available for students and staff.