GUWAHATI: Assam education minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has said that the education department was preparing the standard operating protocols (SOPs) for reopening schools in the state even as a final approval regarding the date of resumption of classes was awaited from the central government.
“We are awaiting the final decision from the Centre in regard to reopening schools but are keeping the SOPs in place. So, as and when we get the final nod from the central government we can issue the SOPs for reopening schools accordingly,” Sarma informed during a media conference here on Tuesday.
Earlier, the minister had amid uncertainty over the date of reopening schools in the state, said that the government would analyse suggestions and discuss with the Union home ministry prior to taking a call in this regard after August 25.
On August 1, he had announced that the state was contemplating reopening schools and colleges from September 1, pending the Centre’s approval.
Sarma further said that the department has directed all teachers from the university to the primary level to undergo mandatory COVID tests between August 21 and 30, 2020 before joining their respective institutions (with a COVID negative report) on September 1, 2020.
“Compulsory COVID tests are necessary to ensure that the guardians feel safe to send their wards to the institutions,” he said.
Fee waiver
The state government has directed private schools to waive 25 per cent fees of students from pre-primary to Class 12 during the pandemic period.
The order, issued recently, would be applicable from May 1, 2020 till the “formal and physical opening of schools”.
Sarma said that action can be taken against those institutions not abiding by the directive on the basis of a formal complaint.
“We do not want to act tough as all private schools have been cooperating with the government during the pandemic period. However, if institutions do not abide by the order and a formal complaint in that regard is lodged, then the department can act and even close down schools violating the order,” he warned.
