As cases decline, J&K to resume junior offline classes from Feb 21
Following a downfall trend of daily COVID cases, the Jammu and Kashmir is all set to resume junior offline classes from February 21 with strict adherence of Covid Appropriate Behaviour (CAB). Moreover, the education department will hold a crucial meet on Thursday to discuss strategy for physical academic activities.
The School Education Department (SED) on Wednesday issued Standard Operating Procedure (SOPs) for health, hygiene and safety of students, teachers and heads of institutes (HOIs).
Last week Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha ordered the re-opening of schools in J&K in shattered manners. The schools for class 9th to 12th in the winter zone re-opened on 14 February, while the offline teaching for all classes in winter zone schools of J&K shall commence after the 28th of February.
An order in this regard has been issued by B K. Singh, Principal Secretary to Government School Education Department.
As per the order, “All the students of 15- 17 age group coming to attend regular offline classes must carry a vaccination certificate with them. Head of Institutions must ensure vaccination of every student above 15 years of age in their respective Institutions”.
“The vaccination adherence shall be ensured through coordination with the Department of Health and Medical Education J&K. Every School must further ensure full compliance to COVID appropriate behavior and SOPs. They must also ensure screening and testing of any symptomatic students to contain any possibility of spread.
As per the order the offline mode of teaching for remaining junior classes in Summer Zone Schools shall begin from 21.2.2022. Head of Institution shall be responsible for adherence to COVID appropriate behavior in their respective schools and prepare proper plans for the same.
The Winter Zone Schools of J&K shall commence offline teaching for all classes after 28th of February 2022. The Head of the Institutions must ensure that guidelines related to vaccination for students above 15 years, social distancing norms and COVID appropriate behavior (CAB) are followed strictly including regular screening at the entrance of the Institution, it added.
Regarding the SOPs for health, hygiene and safety the guidelines read, “Employees who are at higher risk. i.e., older employees, pregnant employees and employees who have underlying medical conditions to take extra precautions. They should preferably not be exposed to any frontline work requiring direct contact with the students. Similarly, necessary precautions may be taken in respect of the children with co-morbidities”.
Sanitization at least twice a day once before children board the students de-board be done by using 1% sodium hypochlorite solution/spray. Proper disinfection of frequently touched surfaces, i.e., steering, door handles, keys, etc., should be done. 70% Alcohol can be used to wipe down surfaces where the use of bleach is not suitable, e.g., metal, it added.
Further, Group activities in games Sports, music, dance or other performing art classes may be allowed only if it is feasible to maintain physical distance and follow health safety norms, it added.
The School Education Department has also issued additional SOPs which reads, “For the ownership of the initiative, a Local Committee needs to be framed per school comprising of Parents, VEC members, SMC members and other prominent persons from the habitation for monitoring and support of the School.
“Disinfecting, sanitizing and cleaning the Learning spaces & surfaces in convergence with the concerned department and local volunteers should be a daily affair. Further, Personal Hygiene and hygiene of surroundings should be ensured and the student’s safety, self-esteem and security should be ensured”, it reads.
“Also, Director of School education Jammu /Kashmir will daily reporting and strengthen counseling facilities for 24×7 for needy students”, it added.
