Lok Sabha Question No. 3060 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-03-15
Subject: Loss of Studies
Ministry: Education
Asked by: S. Venkatesan

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EDUCATION DEPARTMENT OF SCHOOL EDUCATION AND LITERACY

## LOKSABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3060 TO BE ANSWERED ON 15.03.2021

## Loss of Studies

## 3060. SHRI S. VENKATESAN:

Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state:

- (a) the number of working days lost in schools, colleges and Universities due to COVID-19 pandemic, State-wise;
- (b) the number of school children , college and University students affected after reopening of the schools and colleges as on date; and
- (c) the preventive and precautionary measures being taken in schools, colleges and Universities after Covid?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF EDUCATION (SHRI RAMESH POKHRIYAL 'NISHANK')

(a) to (c) Education being in the concurrent list of the Constitution and majority of the schools, colleges and university are under the domain of respective State and UT Governments. However in these challenging circumstances, the Ministry of Education took up the responsibility to continue the education of the students through multiple alternative ways while ensuring safety and wellbeing of the students. It was ensured that all major educational activities including online and offline classes, conducting of exams, evaluating the answer sheets and declaration of results of the examinations were completed so that Academic Year of the students is not impacted.

Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) vide their order No. 40-3/2020-DM-I (A) dated 30th September, 2020 has stated that State/UT Governments may take a decision in respect of reopening of schools, after 15th October, 2020, in a graded manner, The decision shall be taken in consultation with the respective school/institution management, based on their assessment of the situation. The students may attend schools/institutions only with the written consent of parents. Online /distance learning shall continue to be the preferred mode of teaching and shall be encouraged.

The Department of School Education and Literacy has issued detailed SOP/guidelines regarding health and safety precautions for reopening of schools after issue of Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) guidelines for unlock-5, on 5 th October, 2020. Part I of these guidelines refers to the health and safety aspects for reopening schools. These are based on the prevailing instructions of Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and Ministry of Education with regard to health and safety protocols, and are to be implemented by adopting/adapting in accordance with the local situation in all states/UTs. Part-II of the Guidelines refers to learning with physical/social distancing and the academic aspects that are to be taken care of with regard to the delivery of education, such as, curriculum transactions, instructional load, timetables, assessment, etc. after schools reopen. These guidelines can be accessed at :

https://www.education.gov.in/sites/upload\_files/mhrd/files/SOP\_Guidelines\_for\_reopening\_school s\_0.pdf

Further, University Grant Commission (UGC) has also framed 'Guidelines for Re-opening the Universities and Colleges Post lockdown due to COVID-19 Pandemic' which provide in detail the measures to be taken before re-opening of campuses. The guidelines may be adopted by the institutions as per the local conditions and directives of the Governments authorities.

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