Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has asked all district collectors to resume offline teaching for Class IX students belonging to the special category.
These classes will be for physically-challenged students in special schools. The collectors have been instructed to see that Class IX students belonging to the disabled category can physically attend classes under special arrangements.
Social Security and Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (SSEPD) director Bratati Harichandan has recently written a letter to the collectors of Balasore, Cuttack, Ganjam, Kalahandi, Koraput, Keonjhar, Puri, Kandhamal, Sundargarh and Khurda in this regard.
“Steps may please be taken for reopening of Class-IX of special schools and hostels functioning there-under subject to some conditions,” Harichandan said in his letter.
The collectors have been to reopen the schools taking into consideration the physical infrastructure available as well as the local Covid-19 situation. They have been directed to reopen the hostels also.
They have been asked to strictly follow the instructions issued by the School and Mass Education (S&ME) department on reopening of schools and hostels.
“District social security officers (DSSOs) concerned may be instructed to regularly monitor the functioning of schools and hostels for special students and submit a monthly report on their attendance.
They will also report if any additional arrangements are made for residential accommodation of the special students keeping in view the implementation of social distancing norms, Harichandan said in the letter.
“An officer preferably additional district magistrate (ADM) or subcollector may be deputed to personally visit the institution in their respective districts and ensure that necessary safety procedures are implemented,” the director further said.
The DSSOs have been asked to personally visit the schools for special students before their reopening and submit a report regarding the safety measures undertaken.
The S&ME department August 5 had issued orders for reopening Class-IX for physical classroom teaching of normal students from August 16 with strict adherence to Covid-19 protocols.
Currently physical classes are on for the students from 9.00am to 12.30pm in all government schools on all days except Sundays and public holidays.
PNN
