Schools in Puducherry to reopen from October 5 for grades 9 to 12, classes to resume from October 8

Following fresh MHA guidelines in Coronavirus lockdown 5.0, schools in Puducherry and Karaikal regions of the Union Territory will reopen on October 5, Director of School Education Rudra Gowd said on Friday.

Talking to newspersons along with District collector T Arun, Mr Gowd said that though schools are reopening next Monday, classes will start from October 8 only. October, 5, 6 and 7 will be utilised for preparatory works like cleaning the premises, arranging sanitisers and thermal scanners.

Classes will be held for 9th,10th,11th and 12th standards only and no decision was taken in respect of other classes, he said.

He said that previously there were only five working days in a week and hereafter it will be six working days and the schools will be only from 10 AM to 1 PM.

In a bid to maintain social distancing, 9th and 10th standard students will be having classes for three days in a week and 11th and 12 will also have classes for three days.

While classes will be conducted for 9th and 11th standards on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, for 10th and 12th standards it will be on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, he said.

The School Education Director said that attendance will not be taken and students will have to attend with the consent of their parents.

A form will be given to them in which they need to get the consent of their parents, he added.

In case of any COVID patients in their family or symptoms to them, such students should not attend classes and instead, immediately report to the PHC.

Similarly, teachers who are infected by the virus will have to go on leave, he said.

The students will have to come to the schools wearing masks, he said, adding that after observing the situation decisions for a change will be taken.

This will be applicable to all the government and private schools Mr Goud said and added that a decision on opening schools in Mahe and Yanam will be taken later.

Stating that four of the seven COVID-19 deaths today were because of the coming late to hospitals, Mr Arun said and appealed to the people to report immediately to the PHC or COVID focus centre if anyone develops symptoms of the virus.