Gujarat to reopen schools, colleges from November 23

The Gujarat government on Wednesday decided to reopen high and higher secondary schools and colleges in the state from November 23 subject to adherence of Covid19 guidelinesHowever there has been no decision on reopening of primary schools The government said it will analyse the feedback on implementation of Wednesdays decision and then decideEducation Minister Bhupendrasinh Chudasama said A Cabinet meeting chaired by Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani on Wednesday decided to reopen schools and colleges in the state Before that I held discussions with my department officials education experts academics and other stakeholders on continuation of studiesThe Cabinet decided that after Diwali from November 23 all high and higher secondary schools colleges and universities will hold teaching in their respective premises For this they shall strictly follow the Standard Operating Protocol of the central governmentIn the first stage in colleges and universities classes for postgraduate medical and paramedical students will be resumed Moreover classes of only finalyear students of undergraduate courses will be resumed In engineering streams also classes of finalyear students will resume Similarly ITIs and polytechnics will be reopened The present system of providing online education will also have to be continued by various institutes in the state added ChudasamaThe Minister said that the decision was applicable to all schools and colleges in the state government grant in aid selffinanced Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya and all schools under Social Justice and Empowerment Department For the remaining schools the government will decide laterThe Minister said that though attendance by students will not be mandatory schools and colleges will have to obtain written consents from parents on a form provided by the governmentPrincipals of all educational institutions will ensure that all SOP are in place and followed in letter and spirit The teaching staff and all students coming to the institutions will be checked for body temperatures through thermal gunsFor physical distancing we are giving the educational institutions the option of oddeven formula and alternateday teaching so that students keep safe distance It will also be ensured that students even during recess or other times dont crowd and maintain physical distance added ChudasamaThe Education Department officials and District Education Officers will monitor schools and colleges in their respective areas and submit daily reports to us the Education Minister addedFor the continuation of education in primary schools Chudasama said After we get a feedback on this decision and how it works out the government will decide on resuming studies in primary schoolsWednesdays decision to reopen educational institutions in Gujarat is significant especially when many other states have had to revoke such decisions and again order shutdown due to rising coronavirus infections in schoolchildrenKeep scrolling to read more newsCatch up on all the latest Crime National International and Hatke news here Also download the new midday Android and iOS apps to get latest updates MidDay is now on Telegram Click here to join our channel middayinfomedialtd and stay updated with the latest newsThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever