PANAJI
The Expert Committee meeting headed by GMC dean Dr Shivanand Bandekar has recommended the reopening of schools in physical mode in a phased manner with enforcement of strict covid appropriate behaviour.
To begin with, the EC has recommended reopening for students of standards 9, 10, 11 and 12 in physical mode. The State Task Force cum steering committee will decide on the date as to when to reopen the schools in physical mode for students.
The schools will have to follow a hybrid model of teaching for those students present in physical mode in school as well as for those who choose/opt not to attend in physical mode. Such students may attend either through online mode or through recorded class lessons hosted on school portal or LMS.
The EC will be conducting a review meeting every three weeks duration from the date of commencement of schools in physical mode as decided by the government of Goa. If the covid positivity rate rises above 5 % and/or average covid active cases rise above 2500, the EC may call an urgent meeting to review the above decision taken, at any time.
To avoid further academic loss of the students, there are guidelines/SOPs to be followed strictly to commence classes in physical mode.
The heads of the institutions and management can make their own decision, taking into consideration the available infrastructure and local condition, following the guidelines for reopening of schools in physical mode.
It would be mandatory that at the entry gate, checks be done for proper use of mask, temperature check and availability of hand sanitiser. Also, a footwear sanitisation system should be installed. The checking of the temperature of every student before entering the schools is mandatory. Teachers should wear face masks at all times while teaching. School functions and assemblies to be avoided till further advisory is issued, says EC.
Strict compliance of covid appropriate behaviour (maintaining social distance, wearing mask, sanitisation etc), by everyone in the community should be encouraged and ensured, especially during interval time. Having a staggered interval time is also more desirable, says EC. For students who choose not to attend physical school, class lessons should be recorded and hosted on the school portal/LMS. Washrooms should be monitored to ensure that there is no overcrowding, and it should be avoided in all pathways and corridors, too. Apart from this, inhouse monitoring squads should be appointed by the school administration to ensure strict compliance of above instructions.
