From Monday, schools in Delhi will reopen in part for students in grades 10 to 12. The Delhi Disaster Management Authority issued the order (DDMA). The state education department is expected to release detailed guidelines and a reopening protocol for schools and students on Sunday, according to officials.
“Students of class 10 to 12 in the city are permitted to visit their schools from August 9 (Monday) for admission-related work including counselling, guidance and practical activities for board exams. Health checkups and referral services situated in schools or conducted from there can resume. Children of all ages may visit these centres accompanied by their parents or guardians,” the DDMA said in its order.
Except for exempted activities, the DDMA has stated that schools, coaching centres, and colleges will remain closed for teaching purposes, and online learning will be encouraged in all circumstances.
Since March of this year, when Covid-19 wreaked havoc in the national capital, educational institutions in Delhi have been closed.
The DDMA has also approved the opening of weekly markets across Delhi starting Monday, with the condition that vendors and visitors adhere to Covid-19 guidelines. “All weekly markets are permitted subject to strict adherence to government guidelines.” The order stated that “no unlicensed weekly market shall operate.” The order also stated that weekly markets on the side of the road will be prohibited.
The Delhi government had last week sought feedback from students, teachers and parents about the reopening of schools and has received nearly 35,000 suggestions so far. “So far, 35000 suggestions have been received. Over 12,000 of them were received on day one itself. We will soon take a decision taking the feedback from all stakeholders into account,” Delhi deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia said.
