UGC: States, UTs and VCs to take a call on Resuming On-Campus Classes; Full Guidelines Here

The University Grants Commission (UGC) has recently issued guidelines that read, states, union territories and Vice-Chancellors of universities have to jointly decide whether to resume physical classes or not.

Colleges and universities were closed from March 16, this year in wake of COVID-19 pandemic. As per UGC’s guidelines, now classes can begin with reduced strength of class, faculty and staff. However, colleges affiliated to Ranchi University have planned online classes for the whole session.

Speaking on this, Education Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank said, "The Ministry of Education is ready to meet these new challenges. The UGC has formulated new guidelines for reopening of its premises keeping in view all options and alternatives. 

These guidelines have also been approved by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and the Ministry of Home Affairs."

Read: Bangalore University: VC Planning to Resume Offline Classes from Nov 17

Accordingly, universities are directed to schedule classes in a phased manner and roll out COVID-19 safety protocols while classes are ongoing. This includes breaking classes in multiple segments, stretching over a 6-day schedule and calling 50% students on a rotational basis.

Hence, heads of institutions have been given the freedom to evaluate the situation and begin classes if only they are satisfied with arrangements made henceforth.

UGC lays Guidelines for Resuming Offline Classes

As per UGC’s recent guidelines, colleges and universities outside containment zones will be allowed to open. Then, students and staff who do not hail from containment zones will be allowed to enter college campuses. 

Arogya Setu App has to be used by college students and staff alike. The guidelines state, colleges, private and state universities can open as per state government’s decisions. Meanwhile, centrally funded institutions should consider feasibility of opening classes before making any final decision. 

The UGC guidelines read:

Students and staff shall also be advised not to visit areas falling within containment zones. The faculty, staff and students of the university and college should be encouraged to download 'Aarogya Setu App'.

Students of all research programmes and post-graduate students in science and technology programmes may join as the number of such students is comparatively less and norms of physical distancing and preventive measures can be easily enforced.

Final year students may also be allowed to join for academic and placement purposes, as per the decision of the head of the institution.”

Moreover, educational institutions can be reopened, if only the state government calls it safe for that particular area. Students can continue to take online classes for their home, if they intend to.

Read: UGC Releases Guidelines for Resuming Colleges in Green Zones

Limited number of hostels will be opened. Only one student can be accommodated in one hostel room now. States and Union Territories have to adhere to UGC guidelines to reopen colleges and universities. 

UGC also expects institutions to have plans for international students who could not join programs for travel restrictions during COVID.

Ranchi Govt Calls it ‘No’ for Physical Classes

Following this decision of UGC, states like Jharkhand will continue with e-classes. Colleges affiliated to Ranchi University have rolled out plans to conduct online classes throughout the year. Marwari College will conduct classes through online platforms and WhatsApp from November 9.

Sangeeta Laha, Dean, National University for Study and Research in Law, said, “We are already conducting online classes for the existing batch of students from August and we have decided to continue with the same for the new batch. 

Apart from Jharkhand Raksha Shakti University, no other institute in the state has started conducting offline classes in a full-fledged way. Dr Shyama Prasad Mukherjee University (DSPMU) has gone for a combination of online and offline teaching. 

Dr S N Munda, VC, DSPMU, said, “Some of the faculty members who are aged and on verge of retirement are not tech-savvy and so we decided to go for both online and offline classes for some departments.” 

Manoj Kumar, Dean (Academics), Central University of Jharkhand’s dean (academics) said, “We are making preparations for online lessons from November 17 for the new batch of students.”