COVID-19 test for teachers under Govt of Assam to be mandatory within 23 to 30 August

August 1: The state government is contemplating to reopen schools and colleges from 1 September. This was stated by State Education Minister, Himanta Biswa Sarma during a press briefing at Janata Bhawan, Guwahati on Saturday. He, however, said that the final call in this connection will be taken by the Union Government.

The minister stated that as per the guidelines issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs, government of India, all schools, colleges, other educational institutions including coaching centres shall remain closed till 31 August, so the state government will be mentally prepared to reopen the educational institution in the state from 1 September. Himanta Biswa Sarma stressed on this point and said, “The matter of reopening schools on 1 September is not a decision by us but a matter of preliminary discussion including many ifs and buts.” He said that if the corona situation is same as it is prevailing in Assam, then the state government will go ahead with its planning of starting classes from 1 September, subject to the decision of central government. However, if situation worsens, then it will be deferred.

Saying so, the minister gave a brief outline of the blue print prepared by the state government in this connection. He said, “All state government teachers of schools and colleges and the staff employed there shall have to go for compulsory COVID-19 test within 30 August. The test results of the teachers will be there in the website, which can be checked by the guardians also. In this way, the guardians will get confidence that the teachers are not infected. This corona test is mandatory and the government employees of the educational institutions shall have to do it.” He further said that the test should have to be done in between 23 to 30 August, 2020.

If at all the schools reopen from 1 September, then it would be from Class V onwards. The schools shall remain completely closed till Class IV. This guideline of reopening shall apply also to private schools. The minister further said that for students of Class V to VIII, if classes resumes from 1 September, then the teachers cannot bring the students inside the classrooms. Rather they should be taught in the open field of the school or in any open space in their vicinity. Moreover, at a time, only a group of 15 students can be taught in an open space. Further, if any student instead of attending classes in his/her own school wants to attend class in a nearby school, that also will be permitted. The minister made it clear that the classes for such students of V to VIII shall have to be done under the sky. In this manner, each classes shall have to be divided in a 4 groups of 15 each students.

Himanta Biswa Sarma further said that if any qualified person of the locality wants to voluntarily teach the students in this manner, then he/she should approach the school authorities, who in turn will allow that person to teach. He said, “Such persons willing to donate voluntary service shall be awarded a certificate by the education department later on.” However, the minister also said that this is just a voluntary exercise as if parents feel that they are unwilling to send their child at this juncture to do class in this pattern, then they can do so. He said, “I am focusing more on rural areas because in urban areas, students usually are connected through online mode of education.”

The State Education Minister also stated that, in case the pandemic situation prevails or gets worsened or the Union government extends its order of keeping educational institutions closed beyond 31 August, then automatically, this system devised by the state government will also be deferred.

As regards Class IX & XI, the minister said that “These two classes will be conducted twice a week in the respective schools from 1 September. However, the schools will function for 6 days in a week from Monday to Saturday but students of Class 9 & 11 shall attend class twice a week. Each class shall comprise of 15 students. So as per the student strength, requisite sections shall have to be made keeping 15 students in each section.”

As regards Class X & XII, Himanta Biswa Sarma said, “There shall be weekly four classes for these students. The classes for students of 9, 10, 11, 12 could not be held on the same day. If for example, Classes for 9 & 11 are held on Monday & Saturday, then the classes for 10 and 12 shall have to be done on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. For students of 10 & 12 also, each class shall have only 15 students and sections should be made as per the students strength. The duration of the classes shall be of 3 hours per day.” He also said that Class IX and XI should not be done at the same time and likewise Class X and XII also should be done in separate time.

As regards colleges, the minister said that only final semester classes of TDC is proposed to be started from 1 September. Relaxation for college students were also announced as the minister said that any student if fails to go to his/her respective college, then he/she can attend classes in the nearby college. This flexibility will, however, not be accorded to the college teachers as they are bound to stay within their headquarters. Attendance will not be compulsory for the students, but for the college teachers, attendance shall be compulsory.

The minister said that the SOP will be published in the website on 3 August, 2020. These can be accessed at www.ss.assam.govt.in. He said that he will also seek opinion of the public on the SOP till 20 August, 2020. The final SOP will be brought out only after incorporating the opinion of the public.