Schools in Meghalaya will reopen from tomorrow. However, parental consent for attendance is mandatory.
For classes 9 to 12, the schools will be reopened in both urban and rural areas. The reopening for these classes is aimed at completion of courses and preparation for the board examinations.
For students of class 6 to 8, schools will reopen fully in the rural areas and partially in urban and semi-urban areas such as Shillong, Jowai, Nongpoh, Tura, Byrnihat, Jorabad and Khanapara.
Partial opening entails only consultations, assignments submission and discussion with teachers in the school.
For classes 1 to 5, there will be partial opening for rural areas. Partial opening entails only consultations, assignments submission, and discussion with teachers in the school.
However, for classes 1 to 5, schools will remain closed in urban and semi urban areas of Shillong, Tura, Jowai, Nongpoh and Khanapara.
The Education Department has said that if students prefer to attend online classes rather than physically attend school, they should be allowed to do so.
The schools are also at liberty either to reopen for normal classes or continue with the existing arrangements or arrange students in groups (odd/even roll nos. etc) if the enrollment is large.
The school authorities are also authorised to design a daily plan and restriction on duration of classes to 30 minutes and a break of five minutes after each period.
The school authorities have been authorised to take any decision pertaining to closure of schools in an event of any suspected Covid-19 cases in consultation with health officials.
The Education Department has proposed for a blended approach of three days classes and two days for home assignment to reduce the exposure.
According to a government notification, physical distancing of at least 6 feet has to be followed by students as far as feasible. Use of masks is mandatory besides frequent hand washing with soap and use of alcohol-based hand sanitisers.
“If a student, teacher or employee is sick or showing symptoms, they should be advised to stay home and follow necessary protocols in this regard,” the notification said.
Recently, Education Minister Lahkmen Rymbui had said that the decision to reopen schools in the State was taken as penetration of online studies is only about 30 per cent.
He had also said the State government had extended the school’s academic year till February next year and the academic calendar has also been updated.
