The University Grants Commission issued a notice on 5th November 2020, featuring a set of guidelines to be followed in colleges and universities across the country amid COVID-19 pandemic. After a nearly 7 months of shutdown, colleges and universities across India have been finally allowed to open and function officially, keeping certain restrictions in place. As per the UGC guidelines, no institution will be allowed to function with more than 50% of students. Also, online classes will continue to function for all programmes except for technology, science and research. Although UGC has implemented certain guidelines, it has also provided a disclaimer stating that the face-to-face classes will only be conducted as per the decisions of respective state or union-territory governments.
Union Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal gave a big thumbs up to the guidelines implemented by UGC. He said, “ The Ministry of Education is ready to meet these new challenges. The UGC has formulated new guidelines for reopening of its premises keeping in view all options and alternatives. The guidelines have also been approved by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and the Ministry of Home Affairs”.
UGC Guidelines – Measures To Be Taken Before Re-Opening of Campuses
UGC has laid down a set of prerequisites that the institutes need to comply with before the reopening of the universities and colleges. These are –
- Before the reopening of any campus, the area of the educational institution should be declared “safe” by the Central or the concerned state government.
- The respective universities and colleges are advised to make strict arrangements to ensure the safety of the candidates. Also, the educational institutions are given a ‘free-hand’ to execute even stern provisions and guidelines, if they feel it is necessary.
- Only those institutions shall be allowed to open which are located outside the containment zones. Further, students and faculty belonging to containment zones are commanded to not physically attend the colleges. Online teaching and learning is advised.
- The faculty and students should be encouraged to install the ‘Arogya Setu App’.
UGC Guidelines – Mandatory Safety Measures
- The concerned institutions must have adequate facilities of thermal scanners and hand sanitizers at the entry gate.
- Face masks are mandatory for students, faculty and other workers inside the institutional campuses.
- Mass gathering is prohibited inside the campus; entry and exit should be allowed with limited strength.
- Students and the faculty must adhere to a 6-feet gap guideline during the functioning hours of the institution.
- Precise monitoring of the students and faculty must be done at the entrance and exit.
- Students or faculty showing symptoms of fever or cough shall not be allowed to enter the campus.
- Classes and laboratories must be constantly sanitised.
DOWNLOAD UGC GUIDELINES FOR RE-OPENING OF UNIVERSITIES AND COLLEGES
