Following the partial reopening of schools and colleges, the Gujarat government announced Thursday that it will reopen the first year of colleges from February 8, as well as accommodation for student residences.
On January 11, postgraduate classes, medical and paramedical courses, as well as the last year of bachelor’s, doctorate and master’s degrees were resumed.
Education Chief Secretary Anju Sharma said a decision on second-year courses will be made after considering feedback and experiences from students from last year and first year.
Colleges have been urged to adhere strictly to Standard Operating Instructions (SOPs) issued by the State Department of Education for dorms and colleges that will reopen.
According to the SOPs, there should be staggered seating arrangements for students and they should be motivated to use virtual meeting software like Google Meet and Microsoft Teams for group activities. All kinds of sports activities and gyms on campus will be closed.
“No student with a Covid symptom can be admitted to the shelter. Food should be served in small groups with a slot machine-based coupon system. Students and staff staying in shelters should avoid going to markets and limit these visits… ”say the SOPs.
Also read: Admission process for UG courses begins in Haryana
For food preparation, it is said that to wash vegetables, do not use bleach, washing powder or bleach, which should only be washed with warm water.
A joint meeting of the education and health departments was held on January 28, chaired by the Health Commissioner Jai Prakash Shivahare, during which the state education ministry offered to reopen the first and second year of universities.
All students living in dormitories must meet Covid guidelines, including heat detection. Educational institutions must ensure proper cleaning of the kitchen, dining room, bathroom and toilet, as well as proper cleaning of utensils. Students must receive their own bottle of water.
In schools, grades 9 and 11 resumed on February 1, while grades 10 and 12 reopened on January 11.
