After an 8 months gap, the UGC (University Grants Commission) has issued guidelines for starting the learning process again. The notice brought out on Thursday contains the regulations for reopening colleges and universities shut since March due to the pandemic scare.
The decision regarding central universities and institutions funded by the Centre for higher studies have been placed in the hands of the Vice-Chancellors and heads of the education centres.
As for the state-operated and state-private ones, the guidelines gave the responsibility for making the verdict to the state governments of the respective regions.
It stated, “For centrally funded higher education institutions, the head should satisfy herself or himself regarding the feasibility of opening of physical classes and decide accordingly,” adding about the state-related centres, it said, “For all other institutions including state universities, private universities, and colleges, opening of physical classes to be done as per the decision of the respective state governments.”
Similar to the pattern being followed by schools, colleges and universities to have been told to formulate the reopening through a phased process. This is being done to comply with the physical distancing, wearing of masks, use of sanitizers and another set of rules put forth by the Centre in view of safeguarding oneself against the virus.
It noted that educational centres situated within the containment zones cannot be reopened and only those outside of these areas are allowed. Moreover, the teachers and students hailing from these zones won’t be permitted to attend the classes.
The use of “AarogyaSetu App” has been stressed in the guidelines for the staff, administration and students of these univs and colleges.
As the number of students belonging to research programmes and PG studies is lesser than the regular college courses, all of them are allowed to attend their classes without the need for any phased procedure. With fewer students, the measures can be taken more swiftly and easily, the guidelines said.
With the permission of the heads of the respective colleges, students in their final year of studies can attend their classes and complete their placement process.
The UGC highlighted the need for institutions to prepare a plan of action for international students, unable to come back for their classes because of issues related to the travel bans or their visa.
The opening of hostels for students can be done only if it is deemed absolutely necessary with the mandatory compliance to all safety norms. Nevertheless, the notice refused to allow the sharing of hostel rooms which is often seen. Permission to live in the hostels will not be granted at any cost to students who show symptoms, said the UGC.
All educational institutions were shut due to curb the infection spread from March 16th. After this, the Centre called for a nationwide lockdown beginning March 25th.
