Informal classes for HS 2nd yr & TDC 3rd yr to be started from 15 Sept

August 29: Amidst the ongoing pandemic, Assam government is contemplating to start academic activities in an experimental basis. Addressing the media during a press briefing at Janata Bhawan in Guwahati on Saturday, State Education Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said, “From 15 September onwards, we are going to start informal classes only for the students of HS 2nd year and TDC 3rd year in small groups of 5 to 8 students totally on an experimental basis till 30 September.”

The minister further said that these informal classes should be of maximum 2 hours duration maintaining all Covid protocols. Such small groups of students can be arranged by the institutions in some batches. This experimental arrangement will continue for 15 days (from 15 September to 30 September). He, however, said, “If in the process any student(s) are detected COVID-19 positive, then the Principals shall immediately stop the process.”

As regards ongoing online classes by the teachers, the minister said, “Henceforth, the teachers shall have to do all online classes from their respective institutions. No online classes shall now be done from home by the teachers.” As regards pregnant employees, the minister said, “If the head of the institutions can manage to run the schools, colleges without the physical presence of such pregnant teachers, then they may not come to their work places. However, even the pregnant teachers shall have to attend their educational institutions compulsorily from 1 October onwards.”

Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma said that the last date for doing RT-PCR Test of the teachers of schools, colleges & state universities have been extended till 15 September. He further said that those teachers who have already done their RT-PCR Test and were detected negative must report to their respective institutions from 1 September positively. Till 15 September, the teachers are to monitor compulsory sanitization of the school, college premises. Some financial grants will be given by the state government for the sanitisation of the schools. However, if any institution is converted to quarantine centre or isolation centre, then the teachers of that institution are not required to go to their work place from 1 September, said the minister. Such teachers may be attached to any nearby institution.