The Unlock 5 guidelines that was announced by the Ministry of Home Affairs in September for reopening schools and colleges have now been extended to November 30. As per the guidelines, lockdown will continue till November 20 in containment zones.

As per the earlier unlock guidelines, state governments and union territories could take a decision on when to reopen schools and educational institutions in their respective states depending on the pandemic situation. States can reopen schools in a graded manner in non-containment zones. 

Online learning or distance learning methods will be encouraged. Besides, students who want to continue online learning and not go to school will be permitted to do the same.

Students may attend school and institutions only with the written consent of their parents or guardians. Attendance must not be enforced, and must depend entirely on parental consent.

States and UTs will prepare their own SOPs depending on local requirements and it will be based on the SOP issued by Department of School Education and Literacy (DoSEL), Ministry of Education, Government of India.

 The Department of Higher Education (DHE), Ministry of Education can consult with the MHA and take a decision on the timing of reopening schools, colleges and higher education institutes.

PhD students or research scholars who require laboratory access may go to the higher education institutions from October 15. For centrally-funded HEIs, the head of the institution has to satisfy himself/herself on the requirement of lab/experimental works. Other HEIs like state universities, private universities, may reopen only for lab/experimental works as per the decision of the respective states or UTs.

Source: India Today

Read: Unlock 5: How schools are preparing to reopen across India

Also read: NCERT alternative academic calendar for classes 1 to 5 released by HRD Minister