DoSE issues guidelines for schools

Kohima, March 17 (MExN): The School Education Department on Tuesday issued a series of guidelines for educational institutions to follow during the period of closure from March 17 to April 12.

Directing all educational institutions to strictly follow the Home Department’s order with regard to closure of schools, the notification issued by the office of the Chief Secretary advised schools to keep their offices open in order to enable dissemination of information to the students from time to time.

All teachers, both government and private, have also been directed to remain in their respective places of work and engage in awareness activities on COVID-19 in their respective localities. The Health and Family Welfare Department shall provide necessary skilling and IEC materials, the notification stated.

Those conducting examinations (CBSE/ICSE) have been directed to make seating arrangements and ensure physical distance of one meter is maintained between students.

Schools have also been encouraged to use e-learning methods using online apps/tutorials, discussion/learning through effective use of social media like WhatsApp, etc.

To compensate for the loss of working days, it said that the department will be taking measures like declaring Saturdays as working days, cutting down summer and winter holidays which will be notified in due course of time. Accordingly, teachers have been directed to make lesson plans and prepare strategies to manage their classes during the closure period so that they can efficiently manage their classes when the school reopens.

Further, the notification advised parents/guardians to keep their wards within the safe environment of their houses and avoid large gatherings and public places as far as possible. Students were also advised to keep up their reading habits and study their textbooks.

Students should also be taught on proper personal hygiene and social hygiene like hand washing, etc. by parent5s/guardians, the notification read.