Chennai: Schools in Tamilnadu were reopened today, 17 months after they were shut down in March 2020 due to Covid-19. Colleges too were reopened today.
Strict Covid rules were in place in educational institutions across the State. The State government had announced on 21 August a slew of Covid-19 relaxations, this included reopening school for classes 9 to 12.
The guidelines also confirmed that the classes will be started for both medical and professional colleges in the State.
The main focus will be on emotional and mental health of the students as also the teaching and non-teaching staff, say reports.
Students have not attended physical classes since a long time, except for two months till the second wave of the pandemic struck earlier this year, leading to the shutting down of educational institutions.
School and college students can travel for free in government buses from today. Until free bus passes are printed and distributed, students with uniforms can present their ID cards with photos to the bus conductors, said Transport Minister R S Rajakannappan.
Last week, Tamilnadu government had released the standard operating procedure for the reopening of schools.
The School education department said that the schools can function for six days. “Only 20 students should be permitted in one class. If there are not enough classrooms, students should be asked to come to school on a rotational basis on different weekdays. Students can choose to attend online classes after getting the permission of their parents,’ the release said.
The release further said teachers and staff should get vaccinated. ‘Social distancing should be followed in seating arrangements. Students, staff and teachers should wear masks at all times. Benches, tables and school premises should be sanitised on a regular basis. Hand sanitisers should be kept in all classrooms,” the release added.