An expert committee formed by the Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) has suggested a phase-wise reopening of schools and educational institutions in the national capital Delhi, as reported by the sources. As per the report issued on Wednesday, the panel has suggested the school’s authority that a partial commencement of classes for all divisions can be initiated however, by following the time slabs of calling only the senior wing students in the first phase, preceding which the middle-class students will attend the live classes and lastly the primary division.
“The panel has submitted its report today. The recommendations include reopening of schools or all classes but in a phase-wise manner. The report will be studied in detail and a final decision will be taken soon in this regard,” a source averred.
For now, students of classes 10, 11 and 12 can stop by the educational institutions for admission and board-exam related activities, with the formal consent of parents. Delhi Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal on August 6 asked the officials to establish an expert committee to carry forward a detailed plan.
This committee was assembled after Deputy CM Manish Sisodia told the DDMA in an official meet that “At least 90 per cent of the parents, who attended the mega parent-teacher meeting (PTM) at government schools that was held between July 19 and 31, had voted in favour of reopening the schools.”
Sisodia had also recognised the evolving lack in learning of students after the schools closed down with the commencement of online teaching for over a year now. The committee was assigned with drafting a meticulous SOP, measuring the intensity of preparedness of schools, vaccination status of teaching and non-teaching staff and relieving concerns of parents about COVID.
The Delhi government had also permitted access to auditoriums and assembly halls in schools to suffice the training and meeting purposes, however, physical teaching continues to be prohibited.