Unlock 5: MHA gives State Govts leeway to reopen schools, colleges from Oct 15

Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has given State/UT governments  flexibility to take a decision on  re-opening of schools and coaching institutions after October 15 in a gred manner. Issuing 'Unlock 5' guidelines, Centre has eased restrictions on entertainment and social avenues outside Containment Zones from October 5.

In its order on opening of schools, colleges, educational and coaching institutions, MHA said state government shall take decision in consultation with respective school/institution manment, based on ir assessment of situation. following conditions also need to be met:

• Online/distance learning shall continue to be preferred mode of teaching and shall be encourd.
• Where schools are conducting online classes, and some students prefer to attend online classes rar than physically attend school, y may be permitted to do so.
• Students may attend schools/institutions only with written consent of parents.
• Attendance must t be enforced and must depend entirely on parental consent.
• States/UTs will prepare ir own SOP regarding health and safety precautions for reopening of schools/ institutions based on SOP to be issued by Department of School Education and Literacy (DoSEL), Ministry of Education, Government of India, keeping local requirements in view.
• Schools, which are allowed to open, will have to mandatorily follow SOP to be issued by Education Departments of States/ UTs.

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Guidelines on colleges, higher education institutions

Moreover, Centre's Department of Higher Education (DHE) may take a decision on timing of opening of colleges/ higher education institutions, in consultation with MHA, based on assessment of situation. Online/distance learning shall continue to be preferred mode of teaching and shall be encourd, government said.

Higher education institutions only for research scholars (Ph.D) and post-gruate (PG) students in science and techlogy stream requiring laboratory/experimental works will be permitted to open from October 15. For Centrally funded institutions, its he will satisfy herself/himself that re is a genuine requirement of doctoral and PG students in science and techlogy stream for laboratory/experimental works.

state government has been empowered to decide on reopening of individual institutions like state and private universities for doctoral and PG students in science and techlogy stream requiring laboratory/experimental works.

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