Thiruvananthapuram/Kochi: Schools in Kerala that have remained shut since the the coronavirus lockdown in March will reopen partially on January 1 in compliance with COVID-19 protocols.
Classes for 10th and 12th standards will start with limited hours and a restricted number of students, sources in the state government said.
State health minister K.K. Shailaja said the academic year: “Students should not be afraid to go to schools. The government has made all arrangements.”
Kerala has over 65,000 active covid-19 cases as of Wednesday.
The education department has directed only 50% of students be allowed in schools, which can hold classes with just one student per bench in the first week.
Director of Public Instructions issued guidelines saying it is better to allow only 25% of students at a time in schools, where the strength exceeds 300 in number in classes 10 and 12.
Authorities have asked schools to ensure masks, sanitizers, digital thermometers and soaps are available in their institutions.
Students will maintain a distance of two meters and classes may be conducted in short shifts.
Students belongings as well as articles in the class should be disinfected every two hours. Children will be admitted in classes only with parents’ consent.
The government plans to conduct Secondary School Leaving Certificate (SSLC) and Higher Secondary (HSC) second-year board exams from March 17 to 30.
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