Shillong : As COVID-19 cases begun to witness a declining trend in Meghalaya, the State government has allowed resumption of normal studies in schools for students of Classes VI to VIII in urban areas of the state from October 1, but parents will have final say on the physical presence of their wards.
In a notification issued by Additional Chief Secretary, Education, Donald Philips Wahlang, stated that students of Classes I to V in urban areas will be allowed to make school visits while classes VI to XII will reopen.
“Only 15 to 20 students shall be permitted to be present in a class at a given time and to ensure this, schools will call students on shifts or alternate day. A safe distance of six feet will be maintained between two benches,” the notification stated, adding that students who are unwell should not be allowed to attend school.
“Consent of parents is paramount. Parents will have final say on physical presence of their wards and attendance norms shall be relaxed,” the notification specified.
“Teaching time will be limited to three to four hours per day and no cultural or sports events will be allowed, the notification further stated.
For the safety of the staff and students, Wahlang said, vaccination is encouraged for teachers and staff.
“Non-vaccinated teachers/ staff shall have to undergo mandatory RT-PCR test every ten days and submit the test certificate to the school head,” he said.
Wahlang said Deputy Commissioners of respective districts have been empowered to assess the risk locally and decide on reopening schools.
“A task force committee headed by Deputy Commissioner will be constituted to monitor the resumption and safe operations of schools,” he said.
Wahlang said the adjusted academic calendar has been uploaded on the Education department website www.megeducation.gov.in and the MBoSE website www.mbose.in .