The schools in the city are set to re-open from Monday. While the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) administration is all geared for re-opening of its schools, the opinion is still divided among other schools. Still, several schools carried out sanitisation of classrooms on Sunday as part of preparations for re-opening from Monday. Already, teaching and non-teaching staff of various schools including those of NMC had started getting themselves tested for past few days. According to sources, of total 5,356 samples tested, as many as 19 tested positive for COVID-19. In case of NMC schools, of 388 staffers, six tested positive.

 

 

 

Of NMC school staffers tested, 258 were teachers and 130 others. Though the schools have tried to secure consent letters from parents of students, till January 1, only around 16,000 parents had given such consent letters. Against this backdrop, the schools in the city will re-open from Monday. Dilip Dive, Chairman of Education Committee of NMC; Pramod Tabhane, Deputy Chairman; and Priti Mishrikotkar, Eduction Officer, will welcome the students to school at 11.30 am on Monday, at Vivekanand Nagar Hindi Secondary School of NMC.

 

They will also interact with teachers and students. Radhakrishnan B, Municipal Commissioner, had issued orders allowing re-opening of schools in Nagpur city from January 4 (Monday) for classes X to XII, subject to following all guidelines and taking precautionary measures relating to COVID-19. The school administration is expected to ensure availability of thermometer, thermal scanner, pulse oxymeter, sanitiser, soap and water etc. Besides, it is mandatory for teaching and non-teaching staff to get themselves tested for COVID-19 and submit laboratory test results to respective school management committee.

 

As per the conditions in the Municipal Commissioner’s order, Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) issued on November 10 by School Education and Sports Department of State Government must be followed. School managements have been asked to ascertain that school buses are regularly sanitised. Physical distancing between students in classrooms, and between staff in staff-room, will have to be maintained. Only one student is allowed to sit on one bench. Poster/sticker regarding maintaining physical distance will have to be displayed in front area of the school. Accordingly, various schools in the city made preparations. On Sunday, the schools carried out sanitisation of classrooms. Besides, boxes were marked in the premises for students/visitors to stand while maintaining physical distance from each other.