Team Herald
PANJIM: As the Goa government gears up to reopen schools for new Academic Year 2020-21 in July in phased manner, the Union Ministry for Home Affairs has directed States to hold consultation with parents and schools and to submit feedback.
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In a letter issued to all the State Chief Secretaries, including Goa, Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla has said that the lockdown has been extended in the containment zones upto June 30, with phased re-opening of the prohibited activities outside the containment zones.
The ministry has issued guidelines for Unlock 1, keeping in view the suggestions received from the State governments.
“I would specifically like to draw your attention to Phase II, regarding re-opening of schools and colleges, etc, where States and Union Territories have been asked to have consultation at the institutions level with parents and other stakeholders,” Bhalla said.
The States are advised to send the feedback on the consultations held, so that a timely decision can be taken for re-opening of the education institutions.
As National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) in their draft guidelines has suggested to Centre that schools be re-opened in July zone-wise, with Green and Orange categories in the first phase. During this time, students from Classes VIII to XII will be called in, while students in the primary and pre-primary classes will return after all schools fully re-open.
Based on the NCERT guidelines, the State Directorate of Education was supposed to put up a proposal before government for re-opening of schools. However, with MHA directions, the process now involves parents and school consultation.
Schools in Goa have been shut since March 15, ahead of the nationwide lockdown imposed in view of the COVID-19 pandemic. Students till Class IX and also those in Class XI were promoted to the next class based on internal marks, while the board examinations for Class X are being conducted.
On the other hand, following recommendations from the University Grants Commission (UGC), Goa University has announced that the academic year for its affiliated colleges will begin from August 1, for current students. In case of newly-admitted students, the decision will be taken subsequently.
