Team Herald
PANJIM: The secondary and higher secondary schools in Goa are set to reopen in physical mode from October 18. Directorate of Education (DoE) has also allowed schools to follow hybrid mode of learning for Class IX to XII, if required, initially.
The DoE Director Bhushan Savaikar in a circular issued to all the government, aided, unaided as well as Special Schools has allowed the heads of the institutions and management to take their own decision taking into consideration available infrastructure and local condition.
While granting liberty to students to continue with online learning, DoE has asked schools to record classes or lessons or to follow any other online mode of teaching for students who choose not to attend physical school.
“The Government after consultation with expert committee has decided to allow the reopening of schools from Std IX to XII (physical classes) from October 18 by following the guidelines cum SOPs,” the Director said in the circular.
“The school may, if require, initially follow a hybrid mode of teaching that is online as well as offline classes,” it added.
DoE has asked schools to avoid functions and Assemblies till further advisory is issued.
The academic year had commenced from June 21
in online mode. The secondary as well as higher secondary schools are set to hold first term examination from the coming week.
The department has allowed only vaccinated staff (teaching & non-teaching staff) in the school premises. Those who cannot produce vaccination certificate, will be allowed after producing negative report of RT-PCR test every week.
“All the adult members working at and closely associated with schools, including the teachers, non-teaching staff, support staff, commute drivers, attendants and school visitors should have received at least one. dose of any COVID-19 vaccine,” DoE said.
The high risk children like those suffering from chronic diseases like asthma, kidney diseases, disabled children, children on steroids etc are asked to consult their pediatricians/ physician before joining the schools.
Wearing of face mask during school hours, temperature check, social distancing, sanitization, hygeine in the premise, etc are some of the SoPs that schools have to follow.
Schools will have to monitor the washrooms, pathways and corridors to avoid overcrowding.
In case of two entry doors, one door for entry and another for exit to be used and marked accordingly.
Isolation, testing and contact tracing of symptomatic school attendees should be carried out as per health guidelines.
“Schools to make their own SOPs’ if required, keeping in view infrastructure available and local circumstances,” DoE said.
The schools are asked to prepare the time-table in such a manner that there will be no crowd in the school.
Also, students/teachers/ staff having symptoms of COVID-19 shall be advised to have test immediately. Schools shall take all the precautions and care to prevent any cases of COVID-19.
