Shillong, Sep 17 : In line with the centre’s guidelines on partial reopening of schools, the Meghalaya government has issued a notification on Thursday for reopening of school on a voluntary basis from September 21 that will be applicable only to older students who belong to Class 9 and above.
As per the guidelines, the regular class activities for schools, colleges, educational institutions will continue to remain closed to September 30.
The notification issued by Education Principal Secretary DP Wahlang laid down guidelines to be followed while opening schools. Schools will be permitted to open for activities, such as teacher-student counseling, clearing doubts, addressing hard spots, sharing unit/lesson plans, assignments, submission of works, student assessment programme, etc.
“Only students of classes 9 to 12 are permitted to visit their schools, in areas outside the containment zone only, on a voluntary basis for taking guidance from their teachers. This will be subject to the written consent of their parents/guardians and mandatory compliance to the SOP,” the notification said.
Meanwhile, all the schools have been asked to prepare a Continuous Learning Plan (CLP) to ensure all students are learning. Furthermore, the online/distance learning shall continue to be permitted and encouraged. Schools have also been urged to develop a 50 per cent attendance schedule/roster duty of teaching and non-teaching staff.
Elementary school teachers are to attend schools as per their roster duty chart developed by the school for the compulsory transaction of daily or weekly lessons plans/worksheet/etc. distribution at the school campus.
Schools have also been urged to develop their individual micro-planning relating to flexibility in school timings, scheduling of students visit and uniform code. Schools have also been advised to ensure a short duration visit of students.
Schools have been abruptly shut through March as the central and state governments prepared to meet the challenge of the coronavirus ahead of the countrywide lockdown. Though the lifting of restrictions started in phases, schools have been off every list so far in view of the safety of students.