School Opening In Karnataka 2020: School Reopen After Lockdown

Updated the article on 15/09/2020 with the phased opening and regulations for schools

A lot of discussions are happening around school opening in Karnataka 2020. While offices and malls are reopening there is no update on when and how schools will reopen.

Check out: SOP For Colleges In Karnataka That Are Set To Reopen From 17th November 2020

Phased Reopening Of Educational Institutes From September 21^st Onwards

The Ministry of Health and Family welfare issued a notice that schools, colleges and institutes that provide skill and entrepreneurial training would be allowed to reopen on a voluntary basis from September 21^st onwards.

Regulations For Schools

Schools may reopen only for classes 9 to 12 initially. This is applicable only to those schools outside containment zones.

Before activities can be resumed, the school administration will be responsible for sanitizing all areas used for teaching/demonstration with 1% sodium hypochlorite solution.

Thermal screening and hand sanitizers must be available at all entry points. The schools must also mark spots cordoning areas on the floor of office areas, staff rooms, library, canteen, classrooms, etc. to ensure physical distancing.

Group activities such as morning assembly, sports, etc. will not be permitted. Schools must also plan student-teacher interactions in a staggered manner such that not all students report to school together.

Teachers, staff and students living in containment zones will not be permitted to attend school.

For the remaining students, attendance is not mandatory. Online classes will continue as before.

Students coming to school must wear masks at all times and have written consent from their parents/guardians. Students will not be allowed to share stationery, notes, etc.

Online Classes In Karnataka – Schedule

Schools and educational institutions have currently been shut for over three months. Unlike adults working from home, students cannot study from home for a prolonged time span. The high number of students in each class is one of the biggest challenges for schools.

LKG: 30 minutes a week
UKG: 30 minutes a week
Classes 1-5: 30-45 minutes
- Session- 2
- Every alternate day
Classes 6-8: 30-45 minutes
- Session- 2
- 5 days a week
Classes 9-10: 30-45 minutes
- Session- 4
- 5 days a week

Number Of Students In Some Of The Major Schools In Karnataka

School	Number Of Students
Carmel School, Padmanabhanagar	5,800
Greenwood High	4,200
Delhi Public School North	4,200
Delhi Public School East	4,200
Delhi Public School South	4,000
Delhi Public School E-City	2,000
Ryan International, Kundenahalli	3,200

School Opening In Karnataka 2020 – What Are The Options

In a search for a solution, schools are mulling over the option of conducting classes on alternate days and moving students out of the classroom to auditoriums, stadiums or temporary shelters.

In the case of alternating classes, students would learn through a combination of online classes for three days a week and in-person classes on the school’s premises for the other three days.

They are also considering staggering classes and letting students attend in double shifts. Some schools are considering holding classes for the primary section in the morning and classes for older students in the afternoon.

Another way to stagger classes would be to have children with odd role numbers attend class in the morning and children with even roll numbers attend class in the afternoon.

This would allow students to maintain social distancing but the school staff would have to work for longer hours.

School Opening In Karnataka 2020, Delhi Public School, Mangalore

School Opening In Karnataka 2020 – A Joint Approach

No matter what the schools decide, the school management and the parent community needs to be on the same page.

Schools are currently talking to parents for their suggestions and collecting feedback via Google forms. As of now, most parents are not comfortable with schools reopening any time soon.