Schools won’t reopen at least till Oct 5

 Schools won’t reopen at least till Oct 5

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

New Delhi:19.09.2020

Schools in Delhi will remain closed till October 5, the government announced on Friday. Hence, under Unlock 4.0, even students of classes IX to XII will not be called to school for consultation from September 21, as suggested by the Centre’s guidelines.

The directorate of education earlier sent a communication to the schools following the central guidelines, but education minister Manish Sisodia had said the final decision would be taken closer to the date.

According to a DoE order issued to all schools on Friday, “Online classes and teaching-learning activities will continue as usual and the heads of schools are authorised to call teachers/staff for smooth conduct” of any work. The institutes have been asked to inform guardians through school management committee members, text messages and phone calls.

Ameeta Mulla Wattal, principal of Springdales School, Pusa Road, said she would call teachers to schools. “The CBSE registration for classes X and XII will have to be completed,” said Wattal.

Following the previous communication, many private schools had conducted a survey among parents and most of them had said they were not in favour of children returning to school. Most institutes wanted students who will appear for the Boards next year to come for one-to-one interaction with teachers and practical classes.

“The order has been changing from time to time on the basis of Covid-19. The cases are still on the rise, parents are not comfortable about sending children,” said S K Bhattacharya, chairman of the action committee, an umbrella body of private schools.

It will be a welcome step by private schools if physical classes resume after October 5, Bhattacharya said. “During this period, the government should work on formulating practical SOPs for schools — regular checking, whether buses should be allowed.”

DOE ORDER ON FRIDAY SAYS

Online classes and teaching and learning activities will continue and the heads of schools are authorised to call teachers or staff for smooth conduct of any work