Assam Govt issues new SoP; offline classes to reopen for all from Oct 2021

Sept. 28: As the COVID-19 positivity rate in the State of Assam is less than 1% during the last 15 days and also due to the fact that the Education Department has already given permission for reopening of Class XII, and final year/ semesters of degree colleges, final year PG Classes/ Semesters in Universities and Engineering Institutions and subsequently Class X w.e.f. 6 September, 2021 and 20 September 2021 respectively and therefore considering the improved scenario, the Govt. in Education Department has decided for the re-opening of physical classes from Class I to Class VIII and Class XI w.e.f 19th October, 2021, Class IX w.e.f 1 October, 2021, all Degree and Post Graduate Classes, all classes in Technical institutions/ Universities, B.Ed. Colleges both Govt. and private in the State of Assam w.e.f 1 October, 2021 maintaining all the protocols of safety guidelines under COVID-19 protocol.

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. This SOP is applicable for both Government and non-Government Educational Institutions and the Private Educational Institutions has also to follow the Guideline.

The re-opening of physical classes in Educational Institutions as stated above (both Govt. and private) is based on the criteria that COVID positivity rate is below 2% in the Districts and in case in any District, 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%.

General Guidelines:

1. Lower Primary (Elementary) Schools (Class I to V) :

(a) Physical classes will re-open from l9 October, 2021.

(b) Classes will be held for 3(two) days in a week for all the classes from Class I to Class V.

(c) In respect of Class I, II & Ill, formal classes will be conducted on every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

(d) In respect of class IV & V formal classes will be conducted on every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.

(e) The In-Charge Headmaster/I leadmistress of the Lower Primary School shall supervise and ensure that the timing of classes, serving of Mid Day Meal, maintenance of all safety Protocol relating to COVID- I 9 Pandemic shall be strictly done and monitored.

(f) The Residential Hostels will not function until further orders in respect of Lower Primary (Elementary) Schools.

(g) In respect of attendance of Students of Lower Primary (Elementary) Schools attendance is not compulsory and will be based purely on parental consent.

(h) In addition to formal classes online classes will also continue if found necessary.

(i) Meetings in schools (formal and informal) will not be allowed in the Education premises.

(j) There will be no cultural function, meetings etc., until further orders.

(k) There should not be more than 30 (thirty) students in a section. Head of the Institution will assess the required number of sections and open more sections accordingly if required.

2. Upper Primary Schools (Class VI to VIII):

a. Physical classes will re-open from 9th October. 2021.

b. Classes will be held 3(three) days in a week for all the classes from Class VI to Class VIII.

c. In respect of Class VI formal classes will be conducted on every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

d. In respect of class VII formal classes will be conducted on every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.

e. In respect of class VIII formal classes will be conducted on every Wednesday, Friday and Saturday.

f. The In-Charge Headmaster/Headmistress of the Upper Primary School shall supervise and ensure that the timing of classes, serving of Mid Day Meal, maintenance of all safety Protocol relating to COVID- I 9 Pandemic shall be strictly done and monitored.

g. The Residential Hostels will not function until further orders in respect of Upper Primary (Elementary) Schools.

h. In respect of attendance of Students of Upper Primary (Elementary) Schools attendance is not compulsory and will be based purely on parental consent.

i. In addition to formal classes online classes will also continue if found necessary.

j. Meetings in schools (formal and informal) will not be allowed in the Educational Institution premises.

k. There will be no cultural function, meetings etc., until further orders.

I. There should not be more than 30 (thirty) students in a section. Head of the Institution will assess the required number of sections and open more sections accordingly if required.

3. Secondary Schools (Class-IX and X) and Sr. Secondary Schools (Class- XI and XII) :

i) In respect of Class IX physical classes will start from 1 October, 2021 and for class XI it will Stan from I9th October on day to day basis.

ii) In respect of class XII and X classes have already started from 6 October, 2021 and 20th October, 2021 and it will continue until further orders on day to day basis.

iii) The Residential Hostels will not function except final year students of Class X and XII.

iv) In respect of attendance of Students of Secondary Schools (Class-IX and X) and Sr. Secondary Schools (Class- XI and XII) the same is not compulsory and will be based on parental consent.

v) In addition to formal classes online classes will also continue if found necessary.

vi) Meetings (formal and informal) will not be allowed in the Educational Institution premises.

vii) There will be no cultural function, meetings etc., until further orders.

4. Degree Colleges/Engineering Colleges/Polytechnics/Teacher Training Colleges/ Universities:

a) In respect of Degree Colleges/ Engineering Colleges/ Polytechnics/ Teacher Training Colleges/ Universities etc., the same shall function normally on day to day basis as per academic calendar w.e.f. 1/10/2021 guidelines issued by UGC/ AICTE . However the Head of the Institution will ensure that all safety COVID- 19 protocols are strictly followed.

b) The Residential Hostels will function only for final year students.

c) In respect of attending Degree Colleges / Engineering Colleges/ Polytechnics/ Teacher Training Colleges/ Universities attendance of Students is not compulsory.

d) In addition to formal classes online classes will also continue if found necessary.

e) Meetings in the Educational Institution premises (formal and informal) will not be allowed.

f) There will be no cultural function, meetings etc., until further orders.

SOP has been issued to restart physical classes in the educational institutions of Assam. Classes for LP (I to V) will restart from 19th Oct.
Classes of UP (V to VIII) will restart from 19th Oct.1/3 pic.twitter.com/BEFlRW2Gue

— Ranoj Pegu (@ranojpeguassam) September 28, 2021

D. Parents/ Guardians consent:

• Students will come to the schools/ Colleges provided their parents have no objection and as such written undertaking/ confirmation from the parents should be produced in the schools/Colleges.
• Parents should ensure that their ward goes to schools/ Colleges wearing a mask and sensitize them not to exchange mask with others.
• Parents may take care not to send their ward to school if the child is not feeling well.
• Students willing to study from home through online mode maybe allowed to do so.
• Attendance must not be enforced and must depend entirely on parental consent.

E. Schools/Colleges/Universities events, meetings, etc.:

1. Schools/Colleges/ Universities should not undertake any school events/ College events / Universities events.
2. Functions and celebration of festivals should be avoided in schools/Colleges.
3. School assembly maybe conducted by the students in the respective classrooms/ outdoor spaces/ other available spaces and halls under the guidance of the class teachers and maintaining physical distancing of atleast 6 feet.