The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has allowed schools to reopen for students studying in Std 9th to 12th from Monday, January 4. However, only 28 per cent schools in the PMC limits have submitted comprehensive precautionary details ahead of reopening. Moreover, only 32 per cent of parents have given consent letters to send their children to school from Monday, reported Hindustan Times.
PMC additional commissioner Suresh Jagtap said that 150 schools out of the total 529 schools have submitted their preparatory measures so far. He added that 2,835 parents have given their consent letters so far. Jagtap further said that over 80 per cent of teachers from PMC-run schools have been tested for COVID-19 so far, and none of them has tested positive.
Meanwhile, the PMC has released the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) required to be followed by the schools to prevent the spread of the COVID-19.
Check out the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP):
1. Schools to make arrangements for thermal scanner/gun, pulse oximeter, thermometer, soap, sanitisation etc.
2. Zonal Medical Officer and Ward Medical Officer have to certify that all the teachers have submitted their RT-PCR COVID test report of the (government) lab to the school.
3. School administration has to ensure that adequate markings for physical distance in staff room and classrooms are there. One student per bench is allowed as per his/her name on the bench.
4. Head of the school has to obtain the consent of parents of the students who will attend the classes. Supervisor of secondary education has to certify that consent has been obtained.
5. School administration and supervisor (secondary education) to certify that there are awareness posters, stickers about the use of mask, maintaining physical distance, on the walls. Also, there should be arrow marks for exit/entry at the schools. Markings to maintain six feet distance while standing in the queue.
6. Supervisor of secondary education has to check whether school premises are being sanitised every day or not. Also, check whether adequate arrangements for sanitisation of toilets are there or not.
7. School administration has to ensure that classes are not held in closed classrooms. All doors, windows have to be kept open.
