Try odd-even to conduct classes: SOPs for Goa schools

Panaji, Nov 11 : A ceiling of 12 students in a standard-sized classroom, regular deep cleaning of common spaces, no crowding and even the liberty to schools to test an odd-even formula for conducting classes, are some of the SOPs devised for schools by the Goa government, which are scheduled to open from November 21 for Class 10 and 12 students.
The SOPs which were formally issued to schools late on Tuesday also mandates a ban on visitors to school premises, maintenance of a six feet distance between students in classrooms, sensitisation to Covid-19 precautions and even urges students to not share their tiffins and drinking water, as well as personal articles like books, compass boxes, etc.
While sports and physical education classes have been banned, the SOPs urges schools to conduct yoga classes, with students being given the liberty to use their personal yoga mats.
“In a class there should not be more than 12 students. In case, the size of a classroom is small, classes may be held in rooms having a larger area such as a computer room, library, laboratory, with a physical distance of six feet between the students,” the SOPs state.
“Odd-even formula for classes can also be considered. Running schools into shifts in case of high enrolment schools can also be considered by reducing the time duration of school-hours per shift, such that the school is able to manage with the same set of teachers in overall school hours,” the health protocol states.
Earlier this month. Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, who is also the Education Minister, had announced that schools in the state would be restarted from November 21 for Class X and XII students, after seeking suggestions from education sector stakeholders including experts, parents, teachers, head masters and school managements in the state.