(a) whether the Government has considered the reopening of schools in the country;
(b) if so, whether any decision has been taken in this regard and if so the details thereof; and
(c) whether the Government has done any consultations with the State Governments regarding reopening of schools, board exams and reducing syllabus and if so the details thereof
MINISTER OF EDUCATION
(SHRI RAMESH POKHRIYAL ‘NISHANK’)
(a) & (b) Ministry of Home affairs(MHA) vide order No. 40-3/2020-DM-I(A) dated 29th August, 2020 has issued guidelines on unlock 4 which provides that in areas outside the containment zones, schools, colleges, educational and coaching institutions will continue to remain closed for students and regular class activity up to 30th September 2020. However, following is permitted.
i. Online/distance learning shall continue to be permitted and shall be encouraged.
ii. States/UTs may permit upto 50% of teaching and non-teaching staff to be called to the schools at a time for online teaching/tele counselling and related work, in areas outside the Containment Zones only, with effect from 21st September 2020.
iii. Students of classes 9 to 12 may be permitted to visit their schools, in areas outside the Containment Zones only, on voluntary basis, for taking guidance from their teachers. This will be subject to written consent of their parents/guardians and will be permitted with effect from 21st September 2020. The MHA guidelines on unlock 4 have been shared with Education Department in States and UTs.
(c) Ministry of Education has held consultations with the states and UTs at various levels on reopening of schools, board exams and reducing syllabus. Hon’ble Education Minister held a meeting with Ministers and Secretaries of School Education Department of all States and UTs through Video Conference (VC) on 28th April, 2020 where states and UTs were informed that Students from class I to VIII may be promoted to the next classes. In case of IX and XI the students may be promoted on the basis of the internal assessment and standard formula. States and UTs were requested to start the evaluation process of answer sheets of board exams and facilitate CBSE to evaluate answer sheets of students in their respective States and UTs. National Council of Educational Research and Training(NCERT) has developed an Academic calendar for the class I to VIII. The States/UTs may also adopt/ adapt the same as per their local conditions.
Further, a Video Conference meeting was convened by Secretary(SE&L) with States and UTs on 17, 18 and 19th August, 2020 where Continuous Learning Plan and re-opening of schools was discussed. The States and UTs were requested to undertake school-based planning for ensuring continuous learning for every learner enrolled in the school and to prepare a Continuous Learning Plan for every child.
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