KSA submits inputs for reopening schools, colleges
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, October 08 2021: The Kangleipak Students Association (KSA) has today submitted recommendations of a "One Day Panel Discussion on Reopening of Schools, Colleges and Universities in Manipur" to the Chief Minister and Education Minister for consideration.

The panel discussion organised by KSA was held on September 19 at Hotel Classic Grande with 18 expert panellists from different disciplines such as medicine, education, media attending the event.

The panellists had presented their views, observations and suggestions on the theme using facts, data and experiences in other States and countries.

The panel discussion had deliberated on matters pertaining to impact of closure of schools, susceptibility to students, vaccination, e-learning, digital divide, infrastructure requirement, enforcement and monitoring of Covid Appropriate Behaviour (CAB), testing, bio-bubbles.

After a lengthy discussion, 12 recommendations were adopted for consideration by the State Government and the same was submitted today.

Implementation of a serious and holistic approach for containing the positivity rate and work towards reopening of educational institutions by the State Government was the first recommendation of the panel discussion.

It further urged the State Government to conduct a meeting of all the stakeholders to arrive at a consensus on the SOPs to be followed at universities, colleges and schools.

Other recommendations include administration of SOPs, expedition of vaccination of teachers and staff and periodical reviews by authorities concerned, reopening of schools, scollege and university in districts where the TPR has been consistently below 5 percent for 2-3 consecutive weeks.

Colleges and Universities may be reopened only for those (students, teachers, staff) who are fully vaccinated provided necessary SOPs are followed including regular RT-PCR testing.

For the first and second semesters, as most of the students may not be eligible for vaccination, they may follow the guidelines for senior secondary classes, the panel suggested.

For schools, only those teachers who are fully vaccinated must be permitted to take in-person classes; with priority given to classes X and XII with options for considering the possibility of starting classes for DC and XI standards too.

Further, due consideration may be given for possible opening of lower classes, if feasible, the panel observed.

SOPs such as physical distancing, proper wearing of appropriate masks, proper hand hygiene, etc.

must be put in place and regularly monitored.

As far as practicable, classes may be conducted outdoors to reduce the risk of transmission, it suggested.

A system of regular RT-PCR testing must be put in place; those who refuse testing may not be allowed to join in-person classes.

Despite the increase in workload, teachers may be requested to conduct a hybrid system of teaching; an intelligent mix of both in-person and online classes, it suggested.

It further recommended that an SOP for transportation must be put in place permitting only 50% of the normal (pre- pandemic) capacity.

The syllabus for school education must be appropriately contracted as done last year and the same syllabus must be brought out expeditiously as online classes will have to follow it, the panel suggested.

The reopening may be decentralized.

Individual schools/ teachers must be allowed to decide as to whether there will be three batches or two batches per day or how classes are to be conducted according to the infrastructure of the institutions but subject to fulfilment of certain essential conditions, it suggested.

The panel further urged the State Government to come out with a monitoring mechanism to check each and every institution on a regular basis.

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