From Monday (September 21), the students of Classes IX to XII in Punjab can visit their schools on a voluntary basis to seek guidance from their teachers, but with written permission of their parents, notwithstanding the mounting cases of the novel coronavirus.
Punjab Government, on Sunday, announced the relaxation for the students living “outside high-risk containment zones”, making a partial modification of the Centre’s Unlock 4.0 guidelines.
As per Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) issued by the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on September 8, 2020, the students will have to secure written consent of their parents or guardians.
The decision came a day after the State Government on Saturday allowed the opening of colleges for research scholars and postgraduate students pursuing technical and professional courses requiring experimental work.
Notably, the schools and colleges have been closed since March 22, when the Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a nationwide lockdown to arrest the growth of the coronavirus. Over the months, most of the economic activities have been allowed by the Centre but educational institutions remained shut to prevent transmission of the virus among students.
The Central Government, earlier this month, allowed opening of schools for senior students from September 21. It had allowed the states to take an independent call regarding this.
An official spokesperson said that the State Home Department has issued detailed instructions to also permit Skill or Entrepreneurship Training in National Skill Training Institutes, Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs), Short term training centers registered with the National Skill Development Corporation or State Skill Development Missions or other ministries of Government of India or State Governments.
Likewise, the activities of National Institute for Entrepreneurship and Small Business Developments (NIESBUD), Indian Institute of Entrepreneurship (IIE) and their training providers have also been allowed from September 21, 2020, subject to strict adherence of the said SOPs.
The orders of MHA issued on August 29, 2020, and the subsequent guidelines issued by the State Government on September 9, 2020, imposing additional restrictions in urban areas including curfew on Sundays would continue to be in operation, added the spokesperson.
