Guideline for reopening school in pandemic

Guidelines or standard operating procedures (SOPs). 

Pakistan is going to reopen schools in September if COVID-19 situation improves. Pakistan’s government is working to get students back to the classrooms and reopen schools, colleges and universities across the country from September 15 if the coronavirus situation improves.

Guidelines or standard operating procedures (SOPs) announced by the government must be ensured before the opening of educational institutions. Educational institutes will be allowed to call in faculty and administrative staff before September for the training of staff and implementation of health guidelines issued by the government. 

This is great news for schools and universities who besides the students are also suffering severe financial crunch since March. The institutions are ready to welcome students back to the academies. But We need to understand that COVID is here to stay and we need to devise our academic and non-academic strategies to deal with this reality. 

The guidelines include:

1. Temperature checks of students and teachers every morning.

2. Social distancing of two metres to be ensured at all times. Therefore, reduce the capacity of the classroom, both in universities and schools. A school bus to hold a maximum of 30 students.

3. Sterilisation of premises periodically.

4. According to specific guidelines issued by the ministry. No sharing of food to be allowed between students.

5. Cases of children with special health conditions will be monitored closely by the ministry.

6. Reducing gatherings and suspending group activities such as school trips, celebrations, sports and student camps.

7.  Maintenance and services crew are not allowed to enter educational institutions during the working hours.

In order to ensure the management of COVID-19, there are to be strict protocols in place.