Shillong: The Meghalaya government on Wednesday allowed offline classes for students of class 6 to 12 throughout the state from Thursday with Covid19 protocols, a top official said.
However, online classes would continue for Class 1 to 5 in Shillong and Shillong agglomeration till further order In a notification, Additional Chief Secretary Education department, Donald Philip Wahlang said that “consent of parents is paramount” as they would have the final say on physical presence of their wards and attendance norms would be flexible.
“Teaching hours will be limited to three to four hours per day, alternate days routine is recommended and no cultural gathering and sports events are permitted,” the notification specified. Wahlang said that a blended mode of online and offline classes shall be an option that can be exercised and social distancing norms as specified by the Health department and all COVID protocols must be strictly adhered to.
The Deputy Commissioners would be empowered to assess the risk locally and decide on reopening of schools either online or offline taking into consideration the COVID cases and in consultation with the district health officials.
“A Task Force Committee headed by the Deputy Commissioner may be constituted to monitor the resumption and safe operations of schools,” Wahlang said, adding that district school education officers may be nominated as Member Secretary along with the District Medical Health officers and prominent school Principals and community leaders as members.
“The Task Force Committee is empowered to assess the Covid19 situation and the feasibility of school reopening,” the official said. As far as teachers’ attendance is concerned, Elementary to Higher Secondary school teachers will have to attend schools according to their duty chart developed by the school for the compulsory transaction of daily, weekly lessons and submission of assignments, lesson plans worksheet, accordingly via offline or online.
Meanwhile, the Education department has also permitted reopening of hostels for students of class IX to XII, however, the students would have to undergo RTPCR test before their stay. “Separate rooms are to be allotted to vaccinated and non-vaccinated students of 15 years and above,” Wahlang said.
He said arrangements should also be made for separate rooms for the students as far as practicable and those who are yet to get their vaccine would have to undergo RT-PCR test after every ten days.
