UGC issues Guidelines for Colleges and Universities: How and when will colleges reopen?

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UGC has released a detailed guideline stating measures and protocol that are to be followed as colleges re-open. Universities throughout the nation have been closed since March and this has impacted student lives and disrupted the student-teacher relationship.  Staying behind closed doors has also affected the mental health of people especially students. Even though the dates for reopening are not mentioned a detailed notice has been released.

UGC wants universities to call research scholars, post-graduate students in science and technology programmes and final-year undergraduate students. Re-opening of colleges will be conducted in a phased manner. UGC suggests six-day weeks, smaller class-sizes to enable social distancing; however, teaching hours in a day may be extended, as per the institution’s requirements.

Colleges and universities outside the contamination zone can re-open only after the Central or the concerned State Government has declared the area safe for reopening of educational institutions. Apart from general instructions issues by the government some additional measures have to taken up by the institution.

  • The faculty and staff should be trained and informed about safety measures issued by the government.
  • Teachers, students and staff will be required to wear mask, cooperate with security and safety checks.
  • Arrangements of thermal scanners, sanitizers, face masks should be made available at all entry and exit points, including the reception area.
  • Activities where social distancing can be practiced are allowed.
  • Counseling for mental health to also be provided. Institutions have to provide online study.
  • Material and access to e-resources to such students who prefer to study online while staying at home.

In case anyone on the campus is tested positive for COVID-19 then the patient should be immediately isolated, close contacts should be quarantined and symptomatic ones should be tested.

These guidelines have made it clear that higher education institutions would be opening soon. But the dates are not yet announced.