BMC talks of parental consent, says attendance can’t be forced

BHUBANESWAR: The Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) on Wednesday said online/distance learning should remain the preferred mode of teaching and should be encouraged. This, in spite of the fact that the government has allowed reopening of schools for students of classes X and XII from Friday.
Bringing out a new standard operating procedure (SOP) for school reopening, prepared in consultation with school heads, the BMC said attendance should not be enforced and should depend entirely on parental consent. It has categorically said not more than 20-25 students should be seated in a class, depending on the size of the classrooms. Schools should be discouraged from providing transportation, the SOP said.
“Students should be advised not to share their tiffin with their classmates. Any kind of assembly or sports events is prohibited. No vendors can sell anything on the school premises or within 100 metres of the gate. If a student opts to study at home, he/she should be allowed to do so with the consent of parents,” the SOP read.
Schools will have to form a Covid monitoring team. In case any student, teacher or non-teaching staff of the school develops symptoms of Covid-19, he or she should be kept in an isolation room. School authorities should inform parents and the nearest health facility about the health of the student, or call the BMC helpline. If the said student or staff is found positive for Covid, the premises should be disinfected, the SOP said.
Schools should create a WhatsApp group to disseminate information among parents and students. The SOP said during breaks, students should leave the class in a staggered manner to avoid overcrowding in toilets and other common spaces. Each should get a specified seat to limit exposure to infection.
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