New Delhi: As a part of its plan for reopening schools, the central government intends to do so zone-wise after the lockdown is lifted, ThePrint has learnt. During this time, only students from classes 8 to 12 will be called in while students in primary and pre-primary classes will return after all schools fully reopen, NCERT has suggested in its draft guidelines.
ThePrint had earlier reported that the government was considering allowing only 30 per cent students at a time in school as it explored options to reopen the educational institutions. It has now further been decided that in order to make sure that the younger children are not at a risk of infection, only older children will be called in.
Confirming the development to ThePrint, a senior official in the Ministry of Human Resource Development (HRD) said, “We are working on guidelines for reopening of schools after the lockdown and we plan to call only older students because there is a lot of safety risk with younger students. One cannot expect the younger children to maintain physical distance, wear masks and follow the hygiene rules at all times and we do not want to put them to risk.”
The official added that the guidelines on this will be released this week after consultation with other ministries such as health and home affairs.
Also read: Govt turns to ‘TV classrooms’ as online lessons prove to be a challenge during lockdown
Zone plan for reopening schools
The officials also said that schools will reopen according to the zones they are in — those in green and orange zones will be the first to open.
The ministry has followed the same rule to re-start the pending admissions for Kendriya Vidyalayas (KV) last week. KV admissions usually take place during March, but had to be postponed because of the increasing number of coronavirus cases. The admissions have now begun in districts falling under green and orange zones, officials in the ministry informed.
“The decision to reopen schools cannot be taken by the HRD Ministry alone, we need to take the clearance from Ministry of Home Affairs and Ministry of Health. Once all the ministries give a go-ahead, only then we can take a call,” said another officer.
The officer added that it is not apt to give a tentative school opening date at this time but if the situation normalises, schools can be opened by July with 30 per cent attendance and social-distancing norms in place.
Apart from this, the guidelines will also include a training module which teachers will have to undergo before schools reopen.
Sources familiar with the development said that teachers will be trained on how to ensure distance between students inside the classroom and school campus.
“A lot of things will have to be changed inside the schools once they reopen and teachers will have to be trained accordingly. Schools will have to conduct teacher training before they decide to reopen,” said a source.
A ban on school assemblies is also a part of the plan.
Also read: No assembly or sports, classes in shifts — the likely new normal in schools after lockdown
Currently covid-19 is in increasing trend. The peak is still not crossed in India. Lives of our kids is very important. As schools have the option of conducting classes online, reopening of actual classes ( f2f ) should be delayed till the vaccine is developed.
is this hrd minister gone mad cobid 19 is not only attacking children below 10 yrs or adults above 60 yrs it is attacking all it doesn’t matter either Child is younger or seniorit affects all this is deadly statement ever
The NCERT has definitely taken initiative. At least it is making plans for how to make life move for children too. For how long can we keep the kids under lock down. In fact, we have to learn to live with this virus. The younger generation will develop immunity to fight with the virus. It is vital for them to get exposed to it so that their bodies build the defensive system. We should not fear the virus, instead treat as any other viral infection and take necessary precautions. Even the kids will learn to be responsible.
Good decision because we have to learn to live with Coronavirus because if we don’t get vaccine or medicine then what? We are prepared to keep our children at home till that. If school is not going to open then till what time parents are going to sit with child for online study because for that we have to give internet access and which is not advisable for our child. It’s really good for 2 to 3 months but not for longer time. After one time as parents and for our need we also need to start work because no one is going to come to complete our needs. So it’s better to learn how to keep our self safe and accept the facts. Built up immunity system of your family.
at no cost the govt should think of opening schools or colleges because even one life is important for all of us, we cant venture to take such a risk – instead push back the academic session on trim the syllabus
It is not viable to open the schools as virus does not see whether the child is from primary class or secondary class . Life comes first
Please please please ? don’t open the school for any class……why do you want to take risk with their life.
I think it’s a big risk reopening schools this year. How safe is it for children to travel by public transport to school ?It could be disastrous.
Our children are no joke. Let them be safe.
?????
It’s very bad to send to school in this time
School should not open ,it will be very risky , online classes are going fine , when with friends even elders will be not able to take proper distancing , students of this age never see danger in any thing , once outside home they will not take care
You’re correct that students of this age won’t feel the danger but the online classes are also having so many side effects on children. They are having eyesight problems, headache, and so much. They are having 5 hours online school, 3 hours coaching classes and on the top of that they are also getting so much homework. Their screen time is going around 10hours a day. Our children are becoming a prey of the radiations which too is not good.
Respect ma’am/ sir, I am not in favour of opening the school,even not for the senior students.I think online teaching should be continue as it was happening before summer break.Because no body is going to send their kids to school.Being a parent I can’t take risk .So we have wait till the condition is normal.
Sir school will reopen.;it is goodifficult thing. But that who has no money how they pay school fees .
This is not an good decision. Students of higher classes, college or lower classes they will be safe at home. Schools colleges shouldn’t be reopened now. Safety of students is more important. Don’t risk their lifes.
The schools should not be reopened until the corona cases come down to a safe level, and vaccine is available for public. We can’t expect the children to maintain social distancing, wear mask , wash hands frequently. It would be a catastrophe to open the schools; be it for primary or secondary.
Request not to open schools, This is the crucial time in our country. Students are naughty, though school opens the management, teachers, admin staff, parents and students are always behind the precautions and covid saftey rules.
The subject may not indulge to students at this juncture.
Better to close schools and do online classes
Yes! This step is very important.
I am a board student and l know how essential this step is.
As possible as soon the schools should reopen.
The schools are doing real good job through online education.I too am of the opinion that school should not open at all till vaccine is being made.Life of thousands of people will be at stake together from kids,teachers,4th class staff and parents.Its a Herculean job to ask students to maintain social distancing.
ONE YEAR LOST IS BETTER THAN LIFE LOST.
ONLINE EDUCATION FOR 1 YEAR SHOULD BE IMPLEMENTED AS IT WILL TAKE TIME TO FIND OUT THE ACCURATE VACCINATION. AND EVEN IF THE SCHOOLS REOPEN PARENTS WON’T BE SENDING THEIR CHILDREN SO EASILY.
I agree ? percent with this comment
When I see adults not following social distance, masks and other precautionary measures how wise is it to expect such behaviour from children?
I have personally seen a very good student of 10th Standard not wearing a mask while walking her pet dog. I have seen her father doing the same. They talk on the roads too.
Can we expect adolescents to maintain all the safety norms when even adults fail to do so in India as is evident in so many posts? Schools would most likely be a breeding ground for Corona if they open soon!!
Sir please do something for those teachers whose joining as a new teacher is pending. How will they earn their livelihood?Please give some solution regarding this.
It is absolutely insane that they are even thinking of opening schools
I want to bring to their notice that the students b/w classes 8 to 12 are much more careless and will not follow rules
The students will have no seriousness, and will surely not maintain social distancing when it comes to friends
Why these people are hurry in opening the school ?.and even online classes.why making it complicated. Is that so important to finish all the syllabus.reduce the syllabus and reduce online classes.or promote all to next year
It is natural for parents to be concerned for safety of their children. In my view, there is no need to panic as there is still a month in between. In July, the decision can be taken after considering all pros and cons. Maybe senior students can attend school on alternate days to maintain distancing in the bus as well as class, ie, fifty percent class on one day and the other fifty percent the next. That means the same lesson will be imparted twice by the teachers. Private vans should be disallowed
Since there won’t be any sports, assemblies, and other group activities, only 4-5 periods in a day are needed so timings can be reduced. Students with symptoms must be sent back. Also, with proper precautions, training and safety measures, I think we are talking of very low risk.
Would you like to take that so called VERY LOW RISK for your own child. If yes, go ahead but I will pray for poor little soul and yes am definitely not sending my child in such unpredictable time.
R the children from 8th to 12 standard are immune to covid??? Just wondering!!
whether school reopens or not that’s not the issue . Are we sure 100% that after 2months or 3months covid19 wl disappear. our lives wl be same as before .
I will never send my younger or older child to school even if the ministry, govt, school boards etc decide to reopen! It’s insane to risk the safety of children! Let them miss a year if need be. No vaccine, no school! Is missed education for few months or a year more important than my child’s life???!Why can’t they reorganise the entire academic calendar? Why can’t they move ahead the entire curriculum by an year, right from school, universities, entrances, interviews etc? Why should children suffer if they can’t remake an academic calendar just for an year?!! Who are these netas and educationists who don’t have their basics in order… Life is most precious.. Teach this to them.. Or let them go to school and relearn some life lessons as experience couldn’t teach them
Government should not open school till there is a vaccination as life is precious and kids are our future.. instead planning should be done to make teaching online through mobiles/ laptops/ television . Working parents leave kids to there grandparents who further will become under risk in case this spreads
I agree with all of you. But the impact of COVID_19 will stay longer than as we expect we have to follow precautionary measures it may takes 6 months or more than that,because right now there is no exact vaccination.
Day by newly virus transmitters so we have to follow immunity if we exposed to society then also maintain social distance use sanitizing,mask . At home also there is no guarantee that we are ? % safe
Are the Ministers & the government crazy or greedy about money. Why are you people playing with our children? Even one child or grownups (college students also) is affected by covid.. will you be answerable? Do you think our children lives are products you sale for guarantee/ varentee.. pls let live our children?. As the people in power your interest will be only on money/power management. But as a parent our complete life depends on our children safety & security. So it’s better if the gov’t.. understands the parents feelings.. if not we parents may have to make the Ministers open their eyes. Thank you.
No need to reopen schools children’s are children whether they are 8 to 10 or primary but they are kids social distention will not able inside the schools and teachers are also not bother for any kids so please wait till everything is normal government should understand
No need to reopen schools children’s are children whether they are 8 to 10 or primary but they are kids social distention will not able inside the schools and teachers are also not bother for any kids so please wait till everything is normal
Mere khyal se abhi kuch mahine School na hi khule to thik hai kyunki school mein sabse jyada sankraman failne ka khatra hai… Bacche chahe jitne bhi samajhdaar kyun na hon unse bhi koi na koi galti ho hi jati hai aur aajka ka mahol aisa hai ki jara si ek chook ya galti kisi ki jaan bhi le skti hai……….
Isiliye liye mera sughao hai ki abhi kuch mahine school na kholen isi mein hum sab ki bhalai hai………
Bacche humare desh ki shaan hain……….
Shukriya……….
Jai Hind Jai Bharat………
I totally agree with all that we should not open schools till we get vaccine for COVID.most likely I don’t think any of the parents will take risk of their kids life. Everyone knows that even after taking so many precautions and lockdown our country is in top 10 countries facing this pandemic.
My personal suggestion is straight away” No “for reopening of schools.
I agree it is very risk to send the children to school and not possible to maintain social distances, wat about private teachers, will schools pay them salary, especially who are depend on schools, how dey survive der life, govt should think about them ,if v remain at home private teachers will get der salary ?
Hi, i we know it is risk to open the school,as it is impossible to maintain social distances among children, but think about private teacher how dey survive especially who are depend on school, govt should think about private teachers and do some alternate solution
Its very risky right now to open the school at this stage for any age group ya but its true also that problem for board class students is their
Let’s wait for another one month n every thing should come on our control then only such decision should be taken.
Opening school is not a good option even it is trial for class 8 to 12… .Among friends kids forget every thing and after all it is very risky for other family members as well and for their younger siblings… Children should not be put on risk at all till vaccine develops… It is safe to continue with Online mode of studies as kids don’t maintain social distance and more over July onwards Monsoon will come that will increase more flu like conditions….
It will be almost impossible to keep physical distancing amongst students particularly for the schools having a large number of students. Unless and until the number of new cases comes to zero, the schools shouldn’t be opened.
It’s dangerous to wear masks whole day. More so for children. It’s equivalent to child abuse to make them sit with masks and asking them to follow other distancing rules.
If COVID 19 has to become the new normal, then even children for that matter need to learn that. And for those of you who want a vaccine before you send your kids, for your information it takes somewhere around 2-3 years to develop a vaccine. Maybe it’ll take 1 year for this one considering the effort everyone’s putting in. Instead of spreading fear among your children, teach them the precautions. You can’t keep them locked in forever and neither can you be around them all the time to make sure they are not going out.
This is the unnecessary system first school then life. Wow what an intelligent system. Well i wont go to school
Plzzzz open the school and colleges because it’s the future of a student if government opens school and colleges there should be a social distancing
I request to Hon HRD minister please do not hurry to open school children are our national futures assets and classes are goning on smoothly through the lattest technology and I think children are enjoying it and parents are also fear free.
It is very very unsafe to reopen the school.Donot take such foolish decision. Don’t play with our children s lives.They are not ur testing kits. In this pandemic situation children can continue their studies through online classes. Children are our future.So first their safety and their lives are important for us not their studies. So please I request not to open the school right now atleast in this horrible situation.
As a parent , my humble request is not to reopen schools right now as its very risky and unsafe . Let the schools conduct online classes, wherein the children can be safe at home and learn at the same time. Don’t put children’s life at risk. For God’s sake, this is a pandemic we are dealing with right now.
Make online schooling the only method till covid vaccine is found
In any case students are dependent on tuitions by parents or other even during the so called normal times
Time has come to scrap this colonial system of school education
Now we can do it
WHAT HAPPENED TO THE GREAT NEW EDUCATIONAL POLICY?
HaHA
Please do not open the schools until the vaccine is found…..let us not risk the lives of children.?