Tamil Nadu: Schools to reopen from October 1; Classroom Activities Will Remain Restricted

Content Curator

Schools in Tamil Nadu will reopen for classes 10th and 12th in offline mode from October 1 on alternative days by following strict COVID guidelines.

The Tamil Nadu government has allowed the schools to resume their offline mode of education with no classroom activities in action. The schools will open on alternative days for only doubt clearing.

Due to the COVID crisis, the schools followed online classes and with Unlock 4.0 guidelines schools are given freedom in arranging doubts clarification sessions. Although students are required to submit written consent from the parents before attending the classes.

SOPS, COVID Safety Measures

The Tamil Nadu government has issued SOPs to ensure the safety of the students as well as staff. The SOPs included the following measures:

Parents’ consent: A student attending online classes has to strictly submit ‘written’ consent of the parents that their ward will attend the classes on so and so date. It is compulsory for all the students and is to be followed every day.

Non-allowance of students from containment areas: Under the SOPs, the government has mentioned that students from containment zones are not allowed to attend the class in offline mode. Containment zones are the areas where COVID cases are increasing and the movement in the areas is strictly prohibited.

Batch of students: Ahead of reopening, students have been divided into two batches. On a particular day, only 50% of students are allowed to enter the school. 50% Students from each batch will attend classes on alternate days with Monday alternates allotted to 1st batch and vice versa.

Also read: TN Supplementary and DEE exams 2020 to Commence from Today, Check Exam Dates

Sanitization of school campus: The Government has made it mandatory for schools to sanitize the whole campus regularly. Guidelines and specifications relating to sanitization composition are also laid in the SOPs. It states that sanitization must include a 1 per cent sodium hypochlorite solution before calling students to the schools.

Social Distancing: The main highlight of COVID is social distancing maintenance. The SOPs ordered the schools to follow social distancing norms very responsibly. Ideally, 6 feet distance is required to avoid the transfer of the disease. To avoid overcrowding, a 50% attendance rule has been announced. Adding to it, proper detailing and marking proper boxes is to be taken care so that social distancing is maintained.

Face mask: Wearing face masks is compulsory for the students as well as faculty. Students are urged to avoid touching mask and face unnecessarily.

Thermal scanning: Thermal screening will be carried on a daily basis for checking the temperature of students and teaching & non-teaching staff.

Earlier the Central Government allowed states to reopen schools from classes 9th to 12th. Many states like Assam, Haryana, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, etc. have successfully implemented the reopening of schools.