Schools and colleges have been closed since March 22 (performance)
New Delhi:
Students in grades 9 to 12 in the Punjab can visit schools on a voluntary basis to seek advice from their teachers, the Amarinder Singh government ordered on Sunday, in partial modification of the Centre’s Unlock4 guidelines. Relaxation will be allowed to students living outside high-risk confinement areas.
Students, however, will need to obtain written consent from their parents or guardians in accordance with standard operating procedures (SOPs) issued by the Union Department of Health and Family Welfare on September 8, 2020.
According to an official spokesperson, the state’s Interior Ministry has issued detailed instructions to also allow vocational or entrepreneurial training in national vocational training institutes, industrial training institutes (ITIs), training centers. Short-term training registered with the National Skill Development Corporation or State Skills Development Missions or other Indian government departments or state governments.
The activities of the National Institute for Entrepreneurship and Small Business Development (NIESBUD), the Indian Institute of Entrepreneurship (IIE) and their training providers are also authorized from September 21, 2020 subject to strict compliance with COVID-19 standards.
Schools and colleges have been closed since March 22, when Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a nationwide lockdown to stop the growth of the coronavirus. Over the months, most economic activities have been authorized by the Center but educational institutions have remained closed to prevent transmission of the virus among students.
Earlier this month, the central government authorized the opening of schools for senior students from September 21. He had allowed states to take an independent appeal on this matter.
The government of Punjab on Saturday authorized the opening of colleges for researchers and postgraduate students pursuing technical and vocational courses requiring experimental work.
