Ahead of the reopening of schools for Classes VII and VIII across Goa scheduled tomorrow, the Directorate of Education has issued a comprehensive list of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). According to the reports, the detailed list of SOPs entails sixteen guidelines for the institutions along with a six-point criteria list for those who can attend the schools. Apart from this, it is now upto the school management to decide whether or not they would resume offline classes on the basis of the infrastructure and resources present at the moment.

Here's a list of SOPs issued:

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In an effort to ensure safety of children, the Government of Goa has recommended reopening schools in a hybrid mode, if required. The administration has also advocated sticking to a staggered time schedule to eliminate the risk of crowd gathering. Apart from this, school managements are also encouraged to form their own SOPs according to the local circumstances and available infrastructure.

The circular also mandated recorded lessons or online classes for students who choose not to attend the school physically. As per the guidelines, schools have to follow the stipulated protocols like proper social distancing and regular sanitisation, among others in school buses and other school vehicles to ensure safe transportation facilities as well. Besides, temperature checks, sanitisation and face masks have also been made mandatory at the entrance of each school. The other guidelines advised schools about the ways to go ahead with various COVID-mandated SOPs.

Unvaccinated staff to show a negative RT-PCR report at the entrance

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Notably, all the unvaccinated staff will be allowed to enter the school premises only after producing a negative RT-PCR test report which will be valid for seven days only. Post this duration, a fresh report will be mandatory to enter the school. Moreover, according to the circular, high-risk children suffering from other chronic diseases should attend schools only after consulting their doctors.

Reportedly, similar guidelines will be issued to the schools again, when decision regarding resumption of physical classes for standard VI and below gets finalised by the concerned authority.