Assam govt issues new “Supplementary SOP” for resuming offline classes

Sept. 4: With the gradual decline in the number of Covid-19 cases in the state, Assam Government has directed to reopen educational institutions in a staggered manner. The Assam Cabinet also decided to reopen select final year classes. The new SOP issued by ASDMA on 1 September, 2021 also contained specific directions for reopening Educational Institutions (Government and Private).

Meanwhile, the state government has now come up with a new “supplementary Standard Operating Procedure (SOP)” for resuming the offline classes. As per the new SOP issued by the Education Department, physical classes shall start from September 6, 2021. The new SOP issued by the government stated that classes up to Class 11 will remain closed. The physical classes for the post graduate 4th semester, graduation 6th Semester and higher secondary final year shall be allowed to attend physical classes. It has also been mentioned in the SOP that students with one dose of vaccine will be able to attend classes.

There should not be more than 30 students in a section. The head of the institution will assess the required number of sections and open more sections accordingly, if required. All Educational Institutions shall continue to provide quality virtual options for lower classes. The students whose classes will resume from Monday will be able to stay in the hostel. The students should have been vaccinated with two doses.

Through a notification on Friday, the state government mentioned that the supplementary SOP that would come in force from September 6, has been necessitated “considering the importance of continuous education and improvement in the COVID-19 situation in the State as on date.” However, “online mode of education will continue for students who prefer to attend online classes rather than physically attend school. Physical attendance in schools is optional and not mandatory,” the notification stated.

It also mentioned that the criteria for reopening the institutes are that the particular district should have less than two per cent COVID-19 positivity rate. “If the positivity rate goes above 2% on a particular day, the Deputy Commissioner of the concerned District, as Chairman of the DDMA in consultation with MD, NHM, will close the Educational Institutions till the positivity rate goes below 2%,” mentioned the notification.