An expert committee representing the State chapters of the Indian Academy of Paediatrics (IAP) and Indian Medical Association (IMA) has recommended that classroom sessions in schools and colleges in the new academic year be postponed for at least a few months and distance learning be implemented in the interim taking into account the COVID-19 scenario.
The ‘Guidelines for School Reopening in 2020’ drafted by the committee suggest that essential public examinations be held while observing social-distancing norms.
Regular classes
On when regular classroom sessions could be resumed, M. Narayanan, president, IAP Kerala, and convener of the committee, told The Hindu that it would depend on several factors that may happen in the future.
“At this point, we are in the middle of an unprecedented global crisis where saving lives is the highest priority and long-term predictions are impossible,” he says, adding as of now the COVID-19 situation requires that the school sessions be postponed.
“If schools are reopened too soon, the virus may be able to travel from one household to another.
Hub for virus spread
The classroom effectively becomes a convenient hub for the virus to penetrate deep into the community. From the individual homes of students, it may then spread to offices, markets and other homes,” says S.S. Kamath, chairman of the committee and former president of the IAP.
The guidelines suggest that even after the schools reopen, precautionary measures be well in place. Each grade and section (eg. Standard 8P and 8Q) shall be divided into two batches (A batch and B batch) consisting of 20-25 children per batch.
A gap of at least one metre shall be maintained among the students in classrooms. Until further guidelines, classes shall be conducted from Monday to Friday only on shift basis. (A batch: morning shift -- 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.; B batch: noon shift -- 12.30 p.m. to 4.30 p.m.) If Saturday classes are necessary, they shall be held online, the committee says.
Physical distancing shall be ensured during labs, PT periods, and entry/exit from classroom and school. Different interval/break time would have to be made for each class (e.g. Grade 8-10 at 10.15 a.m., Grade 9-10 at 10:45 a.m.), it says.
Student mingling
Students from different classes shall be prevented from mingling with one another. Children shall be permitted to carry mid-day meals to their homes. Schools must implement physical-distancing protocols recommended by the Health Department in school buses, according to the guidelines.
