Delhi schools reopen for classes 9 to 12. Here are the guidelines

Schools reopened in Delhi from Wednesday for classes 9 to 12 after being shut since March last year due to Covid-19.

The classes had resumed briefly in February this year before schools were shut again due to the deadly second wave of Covid-19.

Mandatory thermal screening, staggered lunch breaks, alternate seating arrangement in classrooms and avoiding routine guest visits. These are among the guidelines announced by the Delhi Disaster Management Authority for reopening of schools and colleges.

Students, teachers and other employees living in Covid containment zones will not be allowed to come to schools and colleges.

Following a marked improvement in the Covid situation in the national capital, the Delhi government had on Friday announced that schools for classes 9 to 12, colleges and coaching institutions would reopen from September 1.

The Delhi government had clarified that no student would be forced to attend physical classes and the consent of parents would be mandatory.

According to the DDMA guidelines, maximum 50 per cent of students per classroom may be called depending upon capacity and the timetable should be prepared as per occupancy limit of classrooms.

The educational institutions must follow the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) norms as specified by the government, the DDMA said.

The agency has also directed schools to stagger lunch breaks to avoid crowding. These breaks should be held in open areas, according to the guidelines.

The schools and colleges have been asked to set up quarantine room for emergency use and discourage the routine guest visits. The DDMA has also directed the schools to not allow students and teachers living in Covid containment zones to come to educational institutions.

All government schools have reopened for classes 9 to 12. All private schools have also been allowed to resume classes for 9 to 12 standards. Coaching centres can also start classes for students of 9 to 12 standards. No decision has been taken on reopening junior classes yet.

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