The Meghalaya government has decided to resume normal classes for students from Class 6 to 12 in the whole State from tomorrow.
According to official notification issued today, students of Classes 1 to 5 will continue with on-line classes in Shillong and Shillong Urban Agglomeration till further notice.
The notification also said that consent of parents is paramount for students attending schools and parents will have a final say on physical presence of their wards and attendance norms shall be flexible.
It also said that teaching hours will be limited to three to four hours per day. It also recommended alternate days routine.
“Blended mode of online and offline classes shall be an option to be exercised,” the notification added.
Elementary to higher secondary school teachers have to attend schools according to their duty chart developed by the school for compulsory transaction of daily, weekly lessons and submission of assignments, lesson plans, worksheet etc accordingly via offline or online.
While no cultural gathering and sports events are permitted in schools, the notification said that social distancing norms as specified by the Health Department and all Covid protocols must be strictly adhered to.
The Deputy Commissioners have been empowered to assess the risk locally and decide on reopening of schools either online or offline taking into consideration the Covid cases and in consultation with the district health officials.
A Task Force Committee headed by the Deputy Commissioner will monitor the resumption and safe operations of schools. The Task Force Committee is empowered to assess the Covid-19 situation and the feasibility of school reopening.
Meanwhile, government and private hostels are also allowed to reopen for classes 9 to 12 subject to prior RTPCR test of all the occupants.
According to the official notification, separate rooms are to be allocated for vaccinated and non-vaccinated students of 15 years and above should be mandatory. Non-vaccinated students are advised to get vaccinated and any refusal to be vaccinated may subject to mandatory RTCPR test every 10 days, it added.
Hostel authorities are also directed to conduct awareness programme on COVID-19 pandemic and protocols to be followed.
Parents are also asked to submit an undertaking to abide by protocols of the government and SOPs before occupancy and boarders are advised to restrict movement outside the hostel campus except for attending classes and procurement of necessary items.
