UGC announces guidelines for reopening Colleges, Universities in sequential manner

In a new development in unlocking of ecomy after COVID-19 lockdown, University Grants Commission (UGC) on Thursday issued guidelines for reopening of universities and colleges across nation "in sequential manner". new guidelines issued by UGC allow  universities and colleges outside containment zone to reopen after due consultation with respective State/UT Governments. However, students and staff living in containment zones will t be allowed to attend colleges. tice stated that guidelines have been issued after approval by Union Ministry of Home Affairs and Union Health Ministry. Union Education Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank has taken to Twitter to anunce new guidelines that allowed reopening of educational institutions.

" UGC is issuing detailed guidelines for reopening of universities and colleges, in line with process of grually opening lockdown caused by Ministry of Home Affairs COVID-19 epidemic," Education Minister tweeted in Hindi.

"Universities and colleges outside Containment Zone can be opened in a sequential manner after consultation with respective State / UT Governments," he said in ar tweet.

He also requested all educational institutions, students, parents and all those associated with education world to ensure compliance of said guidelines.

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complete list of guidelines issued by UGC can be accessed on UGC link, however, here are a few key highlights of tice:

• Teaching hours in a day may be extended, as per requirements of institution
• Six-day schedule may be followed so that classes can be conducted in phases and seating arrangement be me keeping in view requirements of physical distancing 
• Universities and colleges may consider reducing class size and break m in multiple sections to maintain physical distancing during classes
• Depending on availability of in classrooms or learning sites, up to 50% of students may be allowed on a rotation basis to attend classes.
• Faculty should be trained for online teaching-learning practices.
• Regular visits of a counsellor may be arranged so that students can talk with counsellor about ir anxiety, stress or fear.

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