UGC Guidelines for College Reopening: SOPs issued for reopening of colleges & universities- check details here

KEY STORY

• University Grants Commission, UGC Guidelines has been released on November 5, 2020, for the reopening of colleges and universities across the nation.

• The Commission has issued SOPs in which they have released the generic and preventive measures to be taken and the appropriate behaviour to be followed by the students as well as the staff while the physical classes resume.

• UGC has also noted the issues and challenges that may be faced by the institutions and the pre-requisite measures to be taken.

• For state universities and colleges, state governments will decide on resumption of physical classes, states UGC.

• It has also asked the institutions to have a plan ready for those international students who could not join their respective courses due to travel restrictions or visa issues.

• As per the notice, “Six-day schedule may be followed so that classes can be conducted in phases and the seating arrangement be made keeping in view the requirements of physical distancing.

• Depending on the availability of space in classrooms or learning sites, up to 50% of students may be allowed on a rotation basis to attend the classes.”

• The six basic guidelines that need to be compulsorily followed are:

  UGC Guidelines 2020 for reopening of colleges and universities 

  1. The physical distancing of at least 6 feet to be followed and use of face covers/masks to be made mandatory.

  2. Frequent handwashing with soap (for at least 40-60 seconds) even when hands are not visibly dirty. Use of alcohol-based hand sanitizers for a minimum of 20 seconds can be done wherever feasible.

  3. Respiratory etiquettes to be strictly followed. This involves the strict practice of covering one’s mouth and nose while coughing/sneezing with a tissue/handkerchief/flexed elbow and disposing of used tissues properly.

  4. Self-monitoring of health by all and reporting any illness at the earliest.

  5. Spitting would be strictly prohibited. Installation & use of Aarogya Setu App could be mandatory wherever required.

CONCLUSION

The Commission has also come up with a few preventive measures to be followed. Take a look

• As per UGC, the Central or the concerned State Government would have to declare the area safe for reopening of educational institutions before any college resuming classes there. The directions, instructions, guidelines would have to be strictly followed by the college.

• The Govt of the state may also develop stricter provisions and guidelines if they find it important.

• The universities and colleges would also have to make adequate arrangements to ensure the safety and health of students, faculty and staff.

• The institutions are only allowed to re-open if they are outside the containment zones. Also, the students and staff living in containment zones would not be allowed to attend the colleges. Students and staff shall also be advised not to visit the areas falling within containment zones. Check complete notice here.

• The University Grants Commission issued guidelines on examinations and academic calendar for the universities in view of COVID-I9 pandemic and subsequent lockdown” on April 29, 2020, and later on July 6, 2020.

• These guidelines covered important dimensions related to examinations, academic calendar, admissions, online teaching-learning and provided flexibility for adoption by the universities.

• Later “UGC Guidelines on Academic Calendar for the First Year of Under-Graduate and Post-Graduate Students of the Universities for the Session 2020-21 in View of COVID-19 Pandemic” were issued on September 24 2020.