The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has given State/UT governments the flexibility to take a decision on the re-opening of schools and coaching institutions after October 15 in a graded manner.
The Home Minister said that, “The decision shall be taken in consultation with the respective school/institution management, based on their assessment of the situation”
The following conditions also need to be met:
- Online/distance learning shall continue to be the preferred mode of teaching and shall be encouraged.
- Where schools are conducting online classes, and some students prefer to attend online classes rather than physically attend school, they may be permitted to do so.
- Students may attend schools/institutions only with the written consent of parents.
- Attendance must not be enforced and must depend entirely on parental consent.
- States/UTs will prepare their own SOP regarding health and safety precautions for reopening of schools/ institutions based on the SOP to be issued by the Department of School Education and Literacy (DoSEL), Ministry of Education, Government of India, keeping local requirements in view.
- Schools, which are allowed to open, will have to mandatorily follow the SOP to be issued by Education Departments of States/ UTs.
