Delhi: Students to be back to schools from November 1, check all details here
Since schools in Delhi shut as a precaution against Covid-19 on March 12, 2020, primary and middle school grades—up to class VIII—have not been opened for even a single day.
All the schools and educational institutes in Delhi will reopen from Monday, November 1, 2021, announced Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia on Wednesday. However, he said physical attendance will be voluntary and parents would not be forced to send their children to school.
Since schools in Delhi shut as a precaution against Covid-19 on March 12, 2020, primary and middle school grades—up to class VIII—have not been opened for even a single day. Schools will have to ensure that classes are conducted in a hybrid mode which means online classes will continue, Sisodia said.
"Physical attendance will be voluntary and parents will not be forced to send their children to school as classes will be held in a blended mode with both physical and online classes being held simultaneously", he said.
He added that no more than 50% of the students will be called to attend physical classes at a time. Schools will need to ensure that all of their employees are vaccinated, with around 98% having had their first vaccine shot.
"Experts suggested that no parent will be forced to send their children to school. All schools will have to ensure that classes take place in hybrid mode with a maximum of 50 per cent strength in classrooms," Sisodia added.
The Delhi Disaster Management Authority has also allowed for Chhath Puja celebrations in the city amid Covid strict protocols, the Deputy Chief Minister has tweeted. “It was informed in the DDMA meeting that in all schools 98-99% staff have received at least one vaccine. But now they should expedite the second dose as well and ensure that the few people who haven’t yet received a dose get it,” said Sisodia.
Parental consent will be necessary for students to attend school and schools will be directed to conduct teaching in a hybrid mode for the benefit of students who will opt to not physically attend school. Schools will also have to ensure that they maintain 50% of their classroom capacity while calling students to school.