New Delhi (NVI): Schools in West Bengal reopened today for the students from classes 9 to 12, after a gap of close to 11 months due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The decision to reopen the schools in West Bengal was taken by the state government considering the upcoming board examinations.
Meanwhile, the students, teachers and non-teaching staff will have to maintain all the COVID-19 guidelines issued by the center and the state government.
According to the SOPs, school buildings have to be thoroughly sanitized at regular intervals, while some schools have allowed only class 12 students to enter the premises for their practical works.
As in-person classes are being resumed for students, online or virtual classes will be continue for students who can’t come to school and of other classes until further orders.
Under the SOPs, apart from wearing masks, maintaining social distancing and using sanitizers, the list includes setting up of an isolation room, cancellation of assembly for prayers and no sharing of books and tiffin among students.
The state education department had earlier planned to reopen schools in October last year, but the authorities postponed the move as it was the festive season and the pandemic was raging.
So far, West Bengal has registered 5,72,032 coronavirus cases, while the death toll stands at 10,225 in the state, the Health Ministry data shows.
-RJV
