Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (SP)

Bengaluru, May 16: On the issue of advance preparations for the academic year 2020- 21, a meeting of departmental officials presided over by the commissioner was held on Friday, May 15.

After holding discussions with officials, the director (examinations) of Karnataka Education Examination Board has come up with the following proposals to maintain social distance.

Arrangements need to be made to accommodate three students per desk. If shortage of classrooms is experienced, library rooms, sports, room, computer room etc should be used. Even community halls, government buildings and Anganwadi rooms which will be vacant in the afternoon, can be used. In primary schools where student strength is less, shift system need not be followed. If in spite of above measures, there is shortage of rooms, shift system can be followed.

Under Nali-Kali system, first and second standard students can be merged together. If there is shortage of teachers for first to seventh standards, guest lecturers can be locally appointed. As graduate teachers are normally available in several schools, they can share teaching work after mutual consultation. In case of shortage of staff in high school section shift system can be adopted.

The first shift is divided into prayer (7.50 to 8.00), first period (8 to 8.40), second period (8.40 to 9.20), recess (9.20 to 9.40), third period (9.40 to 10.20), fourth period (10.20 to 11), fifth period (11 to 11.40), and sixth period (11.40 to 12.20).

The second shift is divided into prayer (12.10 to 12.40), first period (12.30 to 1.10), second period (1.10 to 1.50), recess (1.50 to 2.20), third period (2.20 to 3.00), fourth period (3.00 to 3.40), fifth period (3.40 to 4.20), and sixth period (4.20 to 5.00).

A recommendation has been made to leave it to the discretion of district administration or zilla panchayat to fix timing of rural schools for morning session as students coming from far off villages may be deprived of breakfast. When transport system is in place in case of private schools, social distance should be maintained in vehicles. During prayers, students should wear masks and maintain social distance.

The students should be educated to maintain hygiene by washing hands before and after school with soap, after use of toilet, and maintain social distance during play.