The Assam Government is contemplating a move to reopen schools and colleges in the State from September 1. The move, State Education Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said, is based on a preliminary assessment.
The final decision will however be taken on the basis of guidelines the central government issues and the COVID19 situation at that point in time.
“The move to reopen colleges in the State on September 1 is a considerate plan so as to prepare us mentally to go back to go back to classrooms after the long hiatus,” Sarma said in Guwahati today.
As per initial planning the education department has come up with, all teachers and non-teaching staff will have to get themselves tested for COVID-19 and that they will have to get themselves tested between Aug 23 and 30.
The testing of teachers and non-teaching staff of schools and colleges, Sarma said, will be mandatory.
“For Class IX to Class XII, classes will be held inside school and college classrooms. While students of Class IX and Class XI, classes will be held two days a week while students of Class X and Class XII will have classes for four days in a week,” Himanta Biswa Sarma said, adding that classes in one day will be of three hour duration and that teachers should divide students into sections with one section having maximum 15 students.
On the other hand, for students pursuing three-year degree (TDC) courses only final semester students will require to attend classes if they do begin in September.
No directives have been issued for resumption of University classes since the varsities are autonomous bodies and will take a decision on their own in consultation with the Education department.
“We are looking at the reopening as a voluntary exercise and not something that would be implemented compulsorily. Attendance for students will not be compulsory but the same will be for teaching and non-teaching staff” Himanta Biswa Sarma added.