Violating COVID protocol, Cachar College asks all teachers, staff & students to attend NSS Day

Sept. 23: Both the central & state governments have issued the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for re-opening of schools. On 16 September, Government of Assam in its new guideline stated that Schools and Colleges shall reopen partially from 21 September, 2020 (for 15 days) maintaining all the protocols of safety Guidelines under COVID-19 pandemic. It was categorically mentioned that during this period, the number of teaching and non-teaching staff should be restricted to 50 percent.

Violating the conditions as laid down in the SOP issued by the state government on 21 September, Hunasing Engti, Programme Officer of National Service Scheme (NSS) Unit of Cachar College, Silchar issued a notice. In the said notification issued by the Programme Officer on 23 September, 2020, it was stated that as part of the NSS Day celebration, “All teaching and non-teaching staff and interested students are hereby cordially invited to witness the flag hoisting ceremony on 24 September, 2020 at 12 noon.”

Earlier, the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare and the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India have also specified in separate notifications strict instructions as regards celebration of events in public institutions. When the government has directed the presence of only 50 percent teachers and staff for routine academic purpose, the notification issued by the NSS Programme Officer of Cachar College goes against the spirit of the SOP in particular and Covid protocol in general.

A former employee of Cachar College on condition of anonymity said, “How can such a notice issued by the programme Officer of NSS evade the eyes of the Principal? Infact, the head of the institution ought to have advised the NSS Officer not to violate the Covid protocol.”

CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS SOP for reopening of schools in Assam