Now Schools In Pune To Reopen From January 4, 2021; PMC Releases Guidelines
Mubarak Ansari
Pune, December 24, 2020: The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has allowed schools to reopen for Std IX to XII in Pune from January 4, 2021. The civic body has released the standard operating procedure (SOP) required to be followed by the schools to prevent the spread of the Coronavirus disease (COVID19).
As per the order issued by the PMC Commissioner Vikram Kumar, the schools along with hostels and Ashram Shala will also be allowed to reopen. The school and hostel administration will have to follow the guidelines issued by the Maharashtra government’s school education and sports department.
Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to be followed by schools:
- Schools to make arrangements for thermal scanner/gun, pulse oxymeter, thermometer, soap, sanitisation etc
- Zonal Medical Officer and Ward Medical Officer have to certify that all the teachers have submitted their RT-PCR COVID test report of the (government) lab to the school
- School administration has to ensure that adequate markings for physical distance in staff room and classrooms are there. One student per bench is allowed as per his/her name on the bench
- Head of the school has to obtain the consent of parents of the students who will attend the classes. Supervisor of secondary education has to certify that consent has been obtained.
- School administration and supervisor (secondary education) to certify that there are awareness posters, stickers about the use of mask, maintaining physical distance, on the walls. Also, there should be arrow marks for exit/entry at the schools. Markings to maintain six feet distance while standing in the queue.
- Supervisor of secondary education has to check whether school premises is being sanitised every day or not. Also, check whether adequate arrangements for sanitisation of toilets are there or not.
- Supervisor of secondary education has to check whether school vans are being sanitised two-times a day or not. Also, check whether adequate arrangements are there for sanitisation of the vans or not.
- School administration has to ensure that classes are not held in closed classrooms. All doors, windows have to be kept open.
- Schools have to ensure that teachers and other staff are present from December 28 for preparations related to the opening of the schools.
- Secondary education officer has to submit a report to PMC Commissioner stating that schools are complying with all the SOPs.
Those who are found violating the SOPs will be prosecuted under relevant sections of the Disaster Management Act and section 188 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
