Guidelines for Schools when Reopen post COVID-19 Lockdown

Guidelines for Schools when Reopen post COVID-19 Lockdown

Worldwide closure of Educational Institutions has impacted over 95% of the Worlds Students population with 1.5 billion learners’ unable to attend College and Schools. Indian Education System is the World’s largest with 1000+ Universities, 41,000 Colleges, 3,10,000 Schools with closely 320 million Students population. The govt will take a decision on reopening of schools and colleges on after reviewing the coronavirus situation in the country. They are our biggest treasure. Safety of students and teachers is of utmost importance to the government and his ministry is prepared to ensure there is no academic loss to students if schools and colleges needed to remain shut beyond April. The Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) and Indian Institutes of Information Technology (IIITs) will not increase the tuition fee for any course for academic year 2020-21. IIT Kharagpur has created an online forum to help stranded foreign students at the institute share their problems faced during the nationwide lockdown imposed to contain the spread of novel coronavirus. IIM Calcutta has pushed its opening date to July. The institute’s director Anju Seth said that they would focus more on blended learning programmed, and would extend this to more geographies. UGC panel recommends academic session in varsities from Sept, online exams wherever possible. UNODC launches series of online dialogues with students & educators in India on COVID-19. Tripura Education minister Ratan Lal Nath on Sunday said all students of Class 1 to 9 and 11 have been promoted to the next class and virtual classes started for state school students in view of the coronavirus pandemic. Maximum News channel start online classes for each subject & each chaperwise, like ABP Ananda in Bengali. So every corner of education sector are going to online learning due to COVID-19. Now we need to know some facts about COVID-19. Today due to COVID-19 situation all our students are sitting at home and no hope of reopening of campuses before September 2020 and most of these students from long days unable to move out include not able to meet their friends and play.

What is COVID-19

COVID-19 is a disease caused by a new strain of coronavirus. ‘CO’ stands for corona, ‘VI’ for virus, and ‘D’ for disease. Formerly, this disease was referred to as ‘2019 novel coronavirus’ or ‘2019-nCoV.

The COVID-19 virus is a new virus linked to the same family of viruses as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) and some types of common cold.

What are the symptoms of COVID-19?

Symptoms can include fever, cough and shortness of breath. In more severe cases, infection can cause pneumonia or breathing difficulties. More rarely, the disease can be fatal. These symptoms are similar to the flu (influenza) or the common cold, which are a lot more common than COVID-19. This is why testing is required to confirm if someone has COVID-19.

How does COVID-19 spread?

The virus is transmitted through direct contact with respiratory droplets of an infected person (generated through coughing and sneezing). Individuals can also be infected from and touching surfaces contaminated with the virus and touching their face (e.g., eyes, nose, mouth). The COVID-19 virus may survive on surfaces for several hours, but simple disinfectants can kill it.

The outbreak of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has been declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) and the virus has now spread to many countries and territories.

The protection of children and educational facilities is particularly important. Precautions are necessary to prevent the potential spread of COVID-19 in school settings; however, care must also be taken to avoid stigmatizing students and staff who may have been exposed to the virus. It is important to remember that COVID-19 does not differentiate between borders, ethnicities, disability status, age or gender. Education settings should continue to be welcoming, respectful, inclusive, and supportive environments to all. Measures taken by schools can prevent the entry and spread of COVID-19 by students and staff who may have been exposed to the virus, while minimizing disruption and protecting students and staff from discrimination.

Key Messages & Actions for school administrators, teachers & Staff

Following basic principles can help keep students, teachers, and staff safe at school

·        sick students, teachers and other staff should not come to school.

·        Schools should enforce regular hand washing with safe water and soap, alcohol rub/hand sanitizer or chlorine solution and, at a minimum, daily disinfection and cleaning of school surfaces.

·        Schools should promote social distancing, only two students can come. Seating arrangement also be spread.

·        Schools should provide water, sanitation and waste management facilities and follow environmental cleaning and decontamination procedures.

·      Set Class room or teachers room temperature should under 24 DegC to 30 DegC. Relative humidity within 40% - 70%.

Disinfect school buildings

Clean and disinfect school buildings, classrooms and especially water and sanitation facilities at least once a day, particularly surfaces that are touched by many people (Chair-table, elevator, railings, lunch tables, sports equipment, door and window handles, toys, entrance electronic gate, teaching and learning aids etc) or restricted area (Lab equipment, AC, DVR/NVR, Amplifier, any type controller, Fire Panel, Pump House, Hose, Fire Extinguisher, Reader etc)  through Hydrogen Peroxide (H2O2). This sanitizer not applicable for Human / students / teachers skin. Primarily as a cleaning and disinfecting agent.

SANITIZING TUNNELS are disinfecting passageways for human use if sprays are non-flammable & non-toxic Super oxidized water Hypochlorous acid (HOCL). If purchase from vendor, vendor should share Lab test report & national or international certificate.

Verify Electrical System

Carry out the visual inspections of the distribution boards, switch boards. This is to ensure that during lock down insects have not got trapped in the electrical apparatus. If possible, get the earth values check of the earth pits.

Ensure that all stand by equipment’s are tested for the operations, such as DG sets. 16. Ensure to have those equipment’s in auto mode, if they were kept in auto mode prior to the lock down.

Lift operator should strictly use gloves and mask during duty hours.

Verify CCTV System

CCTV surveillance is now an integral part of the school, collage across the world. Visual inspection of all the components for any kind of damage or loose connections, which might have happened during the lockdown period.

Verify CCTV video footage of each camera and all the recorders (DVR/NVR/Servers etc.) for last 60days. Must be implement thermal image scanning body temperature camera. It can be handheld / tripod standing type.

Checked PA System

Student Announcement or class bell system is integral part of the school, collage across the world. Visual inspection of all the components for any kind of damage or loose connections, which might have happened during the lockdown period along with proper functionality of all the speakers through announcement.

Verify Fire Detection & Protection System

Visual inspection of all the components for any kind of damage or loose connections, which might have happened during the lockdown period alongwith check any fault indication on panel.

Test Detection system through fauls smoke (using aerosol) & Pulling MCP and chk notification signal, other hand test fire Electrically Driven Main (Hydrant / Sprinkler/ Jockey) pump start value stop value, Diesel Driven Pumps etc. Checked all fire Extinguisher are in correct place and healthy.

Monitor school attendance

Strictly avoid attendance thru fingerprint based biometric machines instead use face/eye scanning biometric machines or wave-based machine. Visual inspection of all the components for any kind of damage or loose connections, which might have happened during the lockdown period Implement school absenteeism monitoring systems to track student and staff absence and compare against usual absenteeism patterns at the school. If Body temp screening camera not installed then implement thermal Face scanning Solution can be integrate with attendance solution.

Adapt school policies where appropriate

Develop flexible attendance and sick leave policies that encourage students and staff to stay home when sick or when caring for sick family members.

Establish procedures if students or staff become unwell

Update emergency contact lists. Ensure a procedure for separating sick students and staff from those who are well – without creating stigma – and a process for informing parents/caregivers, and consulting with health care providers/health authorities wherever possible.

Checklist on Safe School Environments

·     Promote and demonstrate regular hand washing and positive hygiene behaviors.

·        Ensure adequate, clean and separate toilets or latrines for girls and boys.

·        Place hand sanitizers in toilets, classrooms, halls, and near exits where possible.

·        Ensure soap and safe water is available at age-appropriate hand washing stations.

·        Encourage frequent and thorough washing (at least 20 seconds).

·        Increase air flow and ventilation where climate allows (open windows, use air conditioning where available, etc.).

·        Ensure trash is removed daily and disposed of safely.

·        Meetings should be done through video conferencing only.

Key Messages & Actions for Parents & Community Members

COVID-19 is a new virus and we are still learning about how it affects children.

Understand basic information about coronavirus disease (COVID-19), including its symptoms, complications, how it is transmitted and how to prevent transmission.

Remember that symptoms of COVID-19 such as cough or fever can be similar to those of the flu, or the common cold, which are a lot more common.

Instead of keeping children out of school, teach them good hand and respiratory hygiene practices for school and elsewhere, like frequent handwashing (see below), covering a cough or sneeze with a flexed elbow or tissue, then throwing away the tissue into a closed bin, and not touching their eyes, mouths or noses if they haven’t properly washed their hands.

Checklist for Parents & Community Members

·        Monitor your child’s health and keep them home from school if they are ill.

·        Wash your hands with soap and safe water frequently. If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water, if hands are visibly dirty.

·        Ensure that safe drinking water is available and toilets or latrines are clean and available at home.

·        Cough and sneeze into a tissue or your elbow and avoid touching your face, eyes, mouth, nose.

·        Encourage your children to ask questions and express their feelings with you and their teachers.

·        Coordinate with the school to receive information and ask how you can support school safety efforts (though parent-teacher committees, etc.)

Key Messages & Actions for Students & Children

Children and young people should understand basic, age-appropriate information about coronavirus disease (COVID-19), including its symptoms, complications, how it is transmitted and how to prevent transmission.

Checklist for Students & Children

·        In a situation like this it is normal to feel sad, worried, confused, scared or angry. Know that you are not alone and talk to someone you trust, like your parent or teacher so that you can help keep yourself and your school safe and healthy.

·        Protect yourself and others like: Remember to not touch your face, Do not share cups, eating utensils, food or drinks with others.

·        Share what you learn about preventing disease with your family and friends, especially with younger children.

·        Model good practices such as sneezing or coughing into your elbow and washing your hands, especially for younger family members.

Below are suggestions on how to engage students of different ages on preventing and controlling the spread of COVID-19 and other viruses.

Checklist for Preschool

·             Sing a song while washing their hands with hand sanitizer to practice the recommended 20 second duration.

·        Use puppets or dolls to demonstrate symptoms (sneezing, coughing, fever) and what to do if they feel sick (i.e. their head hurts, their stomach hurts, they feel hot or extra tired).

·        Children sit further apart from one another, have them practice stretching their arms out or ‘flap their wings’, they should keep enough space to not touch their friends.

Checklist for Primary School

·        Introduce the concept of social distancing (standing further away from friends, avoiding large crowds, not touching people if you don’t need to, etc.)

·        Understand the basic concepts of disease prevention and control. Use exercises that demonstrate how germs can spread. For example, by putting colored water in a spray bottle and spraying over a piece of white paper.

·        Discuss the different reactions they may experience and explain that these are normal reactions to an abnormal situation.

Checklist for Lower Secondary School

·      Make sure to listen to students’ concerns and answer their questions.

·      Focus on good health behaviors, such as covering coughs and sneezes with the elbow.

·     Discuss the different reactions they may experience and explain these are normal reactions to an abnormal situation. Encourage them to express and communicate their feelings.

·        Relevant health education like:

·  Science can cover the study of viruses, disease transmission and the importance of vaccinations.

Checklist for Upper Secondary School

·        Make sure to listen to students’ concerns and answer their questions.

·        Focus on good health behaviors, such as covering coughs and sneezes with the elbow and washing hands Encourage students to prevent and address stigma.

·        Have students make their own Public Service Announcements via social media, radio or even local tv broadcasting

·        Science courses can cover the study of viruses, disease transmission and the importance of vaccinations.

·        Social studies can focus on the history of pandemics and their secondary effects and investigate how public policies can promote tolerance and social cohesion.

·        Discuss the different reactions they may experience and explain these are normal reactions to an abnormal situation. Encourage them to express and communicate their feelings.

Ref:

https://www.mohfw.gov.in/

https://www.who.int/news-room/detail/10-03-2020-covid-19-ifrc-unicef-and-who-issue-guidance-to-protect-children-and-support-safe-school-operations

https://www.hrw.org/news/2020/03/19/human-rights-dimensions-covid-19-response

https://www.hindustantimes.com/delhi-news/state-central-govts-come-down-on-schools-colleges-flouting-fee-norms-during-lockdown/story-LCP4SLmLyKKaB1YkrXVbUN.html

https://wbxpress.com/west-bengal-epidemic-disease-covid-19-regulations-2020/

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