Punjab reopens colleges & universities in phased manner, SOPs and guidelines issued

In the first phase, only the departments that need hands-on training such as Science and Medicine will be opened.

Punjab Colleges Reopening: According to the latest reports, the Punjab government reopened colleges and universities from November 16, 2020. The State Government announced its decision regarding the reopening of school and colleges from Monday, after nearly eight months. In the first phase, only the departments that need hands-on training such as Science and Medicine will be opened. In the next phase, departments of management, commerce, etc. would be reopened gradually. The decision to reopen degree colleges for arts and languages would be taken after assessing the situation. Also, the universities would decide the order and dates for the reopening of the colleges according to their assessment of the situation.

However, the focus remains on the final academic schedule. The Punjab government also issued SOPs and guidelines regarding the reopening of universities and colleges, which are an extension of the SOPs issued by the Ministry of Health for Reopening of Schools, Colleges and Institutes of Higher Education.

Reopening of Colleges in Punjab: SOPs, guidelines issued 

1. Preparation of a complete roster by Colleges and HEIs for the departments and batches of students in various departments and programs
2. Designing hybrid teaching plans with online and physical classes for systematic coverage of the syllabus
3. Colleges can extend the teaching hours with a fair rotation of teachers to ensure regular classes
4. The first batch of students to be permitted for physical classes would be from the final year and not more than 50 per cent of the overall strength – for the remaining, online mode is advised
5. Wearing of masks is mandatory and no exception would be allowed
6. Students and college staff members will download and update the COVA and Arogya Setu applications.
7. Taskforce to be constituted that would ensure complete and regular sanitisation of the campus as prescribed – every week
8. Separate entry and exit points with necessary equipment such as thermal scanners, sanitizers, etc.
9. Special measures to be taken to ensure proper social distancing in the canteen, common rooms, library and any such places of common gathering on the campus of the college.
10. Teachers not taking physical classes to ensure a minimum of 5 hours of online classes, tests, evaluation and other guidance
11. Sports activities where physical distancing can be maintained can be engaged