JAMMU schools to re-open from September 21 following mandatory SOP’s

The Jammu government decreed to partially re-open schools outside containment zones for students from class 9 to 12 across the Jammu region from September 21. Schools assent to Unlock 4.0 guidelines, students need to carry written consent from their parents while visiting their respective school.

Commissioner Secretary Education J and K Asgar Samoon wrote in a Twitter post “School reopening tomorrow, not for regular classes but consultation by volunteer secondary students on the consent of parents with 50% teachers on the roster as per MHA lockdown 4 guidelines.”

Check: MHA Issues Unlock 4 Guidelines

schools reopening tomorrow not for regular classes but consultation” by volunteer secondary students on consent of parents with 50% teachers on roster as per MHA lockdown 4 guidelines & Min of health & FW protocols conveyed by chief secretary & circulated to Dcs/ directors/ ceos pic.twitter.com/nlnGG679LB

— Dr Asgar Hassan Samoon IAS (@AsgarSamoon) September 20, 2020

Arrangements made inside the school campus

Jammu government has made proper arrangements for the safe conduct of schools during COVID-19. Schools have been sanitized properly. A reasonable amount of hand sanitizer and face masks have been arranged on the school campus. Social distancing will be strictly followed inside the campus. Special medical centers have been organized in each public school for extra care.

Also Read: Schools to Reopen in Jammu & Kashmir on Trial Basis from Sept 21, Online Classes to Continue as Usual

Students from class 9 and above can report to schools voluntarily for solving their doubts. Though the Jammu education bodies advised students to opt for online classes.

Anuradha Gupta, Director School Education, Jammu zone clarified in a statement “If the parents feel confident over the arrangements which have been put in place keeping in mind the threat of coronavirus infection, they can send their children otherwise there is no compulsion for the students to attend their school.”

Also Read: SCERT to be Established in Jammu and Kashmir on the Lines of NCERT

The partial reopening of schools in Jammu

Adhering to Unlock 4.0 guidelines, the state government has stated that only 50% of teaching and non-teaching staff would be allowed to visit school premises to conduct doubt solving sessions. On other hand, Students need to follow all the necessary precautions.

However, the state government decided not to allow the reopening of schools that fall under any major or minor containment zones as identified by the state health department.

Opposing Review on re-opening of the schools

“This unwise decision can prove to be counter-productive," National Conference Provincial President Devender Singh Rana said in a statement. He further added “The medical facilities are inadequate and children, the future of the nation, cannot be exposed to risk. Keeping this in view, the administration must revisit the decision and take appropriate measures to instill confidence among the people.”

Check: Health Ministry issues SOPs for Reopening Schools, Higher Education Institution