Chennai: While requesting the government to allow them to reopen from 1 July, private schools have putforth various requests including collection of fees and conduct of classes.
In their representation to the expert group headed by Commissioner for School Education Sigy Thomas Vaidyan, Tamilnadu Nursery, Primary, Matriculation and CBSE Schools Association has said that to maintain social distancing norms, they want to conduct classes for LKG to Class V and Classes VI to XII on alternate days.
It also proposed online classes and homework for children who stay at home on alternate days. The number of students per class room can be reduced to 10 to 15 students, said the association.
“This would help allow the schools to maintain social distancing norms even in school vehicles,” it said. The association added that classes can also be held in open space such as play rounds, auditoriums and large halls.
It also sought permission to function from 15 June to collect fees and distribute books to students. The association proposed to insist on medical certificates for all students before start of school and medical examination twice a month.
The committee was formed to suggest ways to impart uninterrupted quality learning to students post-Covid-19 crisis. It is looking into teaching and academic issues arising due to Covid-19, with regard to school education.
The expert group, which has been asked to submit a report to the government on its findings within 15 days, has 11 members which include the directors of School Education, State Council of Education Research and Training (SCERT), Elementary education, Matriculation School and Government Examinations. Representatives from Samagra Shiksha, Kalvi TV, Parents Teachers Association (PTA), UNICEF, TNeGA and IIT Madras are also part of the expert group.