The Rajasthan State Government is planning to reopen schools for secondary, senior secondary and higher educational institutes in the state from January 2021. The State Education Department has sent a detailed proposal to the government which is under review and will be implemented once the government approves the same.
According to a proposal floated by the education department, classes 9 to 12 on a trial basis will resume in the first week of January 2021 for 15 days and a decision about the further reopening of schools might be taken after reviewing the same.
The Education Minister, Govind Singh Sotasara has pointed out that the priority remains the safety of the children as well as ensuring proper education. Speaking to Hindustan Times, the minister said, "The top priority of the state government is to ensure that our kids are not affected by the virus, but at the same time to give proper education to them is our duty. Hence, we are considering to open schools, college and other education institutes."
"We are taking suggestions from the health department and the home department. We are also studying and analysing what other states are thinking. The final decision would be taken by the chief minister only," he added.
Along with providing details about the phase-wise reopening of schools for higher classes, the proposal also provides the guidelines to be followed:
1. Students would not be allowed to enter without masks.
2. Schools would have to ensure adequate hand sanitizers as well as handwashing stations.
3. Schools would also ensure proper sanitisation of all the furniture and common areas.
4. Apart from these, the measures of social distancing would be in place and practised among students.
5. In line with the central government's SOPs for the reopening of schools, students wouldn't be allowed to share any materials.
6. School transport, if used, would also be sanitized regularly.
Preparations are underway to open schools and colleges in many states from the new year onwards. Schools will be reopened from January 2021 in states such as Bihar, Karnataka, Puducherry, Assam and Pune.
