PATNA: The state education department on Friday issued detailed standard operating procedures (SoPs) for resumption of academic activities for students of classes VI to VIII from February 8 in all government and private schools. The schools have been asked to allow only 50% of students and hold classes for each batch on alternate days.
The SOPs include regular cleaning and
sanitisation of school premises, compulsory use of masks and hand sanitisers and social distancing. Schools have been asked to form a supervisory team to ensure that all the protocols are followed. Co-curricular events like sports day, annual day and morning assemblies should be avoided unless necessary. Although the students will be at 50% capacity, the teachers and staff members can operate in full strength. Availability of medical examiner, counsellor, doctor or nurse in or around the school campus will have to be ensured.
Principal secretary of education department
Sanjay Kumar said it’s completely safe for students of junior classes to go to their schools. “It has been a month since the senior secondary students started attending offline classes and very few adverse cases have been reported. While the Munger case was false, the Covid outbreak happened in Gaya school because its principal himself was tested positive for the virus,” he said.
“This is a major step by the government towards resuming normal life after a difficult year. Once students start attending offline classes, their parents, teachers and people around them will also observe regularity in their routines,” Patna DM
Chandrashekhar Singh said.
The SOPs have been welcomed by school authorities. Abhishek Patrick, assistant director of Jesus and Mary Academy, said, “We will follow all the protocols prescribed by the government. The Covid preventive measures were already in place for senior students and the same will be applied for the junior students as well.”
Sharat Kumar Singh, principal of
Litera Valley School, said, “The first two days will be crucial as the initial hesitation and apprehension of the students and their parents will be high.”