Colleges Are Reopening In Several Parts Of India: A Look At The UGC Guidelines

Universities across the country have been closed since March amidst the pandemic and lockdown. As the new year commenced and vaccination drives have begun, several colleges are all set to reopen. In places with very few COVID-19 cases, colleges have already started offline classes.

Earlier in October, the Union government had permitted the reopening of schools and higher education institutions in phases depending on the situation in that area. It was said that each state must take responsibility and can decide the manner of reopening. Since then, most states have reopened their schools especially 10th and 12th standard classes. However, in the past few days, news of universities and colleges beginning their offline classes have been making rounds.

Following states have either commenced or are set to begin offline classes.

• Many colleges and schools in Bihar have already started their offline classes including the Banaras Hindu University(BHU). At BHU, they commenced the offline classes in a phased manner. APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University (AKTU) will re-open all affiliated colleges from January 4. But the semester exams will be conducted online from January 7.

Patna: Schools in Bihar reopen for students of classes 9-12th, after more than 9 months due to outbreak of COVID19 pandemic

"All COVID19 protocols including wearing a mask and social distancing being followed at the school," says a teacher of Govt Girls' Hr. Sec School, Bankipur pic.twitter.com/1xH4PGYvFZ

— ANI (@ANI) January 4, 2021

• In Pune, colleges are set to reopen from January 4. The Pune Municipal Corporation had mandated all teaching and non-teaching staff to undergo RT-PCR test before the reopening.
• The Central University of Kerala had announced that classes will begin on January 4. Most of the colleges did re-open today following social distancing and sanitisation methods. Classes 10 and 12 have resumed their offline classes from January 1 in Kerala.

Also Read: Haryana Schools To Reopen For Senior Classes From 14th December, COVID-19 Negative Report Must

• Several colleges in Karnataka had already resumed their offline classes in December itself following strict protocols and safety measurements. Further, classes 10 and 12 have also resumed their classes from January 1. The State's Education Minister Suresh Kumar said that the opening of schools and colleges was necessary especially for students from rural areas who do not have access to online education.
• The Tripura government will re-open upper primary to college classes including hostels from January 4.
• Meanwhile, the University of Delhi has not cited any notifications regarding offline classes. In fact, several fake notifications went around student groups creating a lot of misunderstandings for the students as well as the management. But these notices were identified as fake later by the university.
• Amidst the fear of a second wave of the pandemic, Mumbai civic body announced that schools and colleges will not reopen till January 15.

UGC guidelines

1. Universities and colleges can resume classes especially for research, post-graduate students in science and technology programmes, and final year students too. But the total strength on the campus must only be half the total student strength. The remaining students are advised to continue online classes and can approach teachers with doubts in small groups with prior notice.
2. There are no clear directions in the UGC guidelines though the Education Ministry said not to make attendance compulsory for school students.
3. Higher education institutions will remain open for longer hours for six days a week to accommodate students in batches.
4. Extra-curricular and sports activities can be conducted with physical distancing. But cultural activities should be avoided.
5. The UGC guidelines do not recommend the reopening of hostels.
6. All other safety measurements including social distancing, wearing masks, temperature screening, and regular disinfection of campus are to be followed without fail.

Also Read: Stressed Out, Dropping Out: COVID Has Taken Its Toll On University Students

Picture Credit: timesofindia.com