Colleges, universities to reopen from September 1 in Tamil Nadu

The government of Tamil Nadu has recently allowed that the colleges and universities in the state are set to reopen for physical classes in the state from September 1. All higher educational institutes including Arts, Science, (both Shift I and Shift II) Technical Engineering, Agriculture, Fisheries, and Veterinary colleges will start functioning from September 1.

The government has issued a list of COVID-19 standard operating procedures (SOPs) for all the students and staff members who will be attending physical classes. College administration will have to ensure that the rules set by the government are being followed diligently.

As per the guidelines of the government, students of the second and third year in undergraduate courses have the option of attending physical classes on alternate days while students in second-year PG courses will be attending classes 6 days a week.

Similarly, in four-year graduation courses, second and third-year students will be attending classes on alternate days while fourth-year students will be attending classes 6 days a week. The government has also allowed the reopening of hostels for college students, according to the guidelines.

Students who will be joining first-year undergraduate courses will be allowed to attend their orientation programme in the first week of college, and then will continue with online classes for the time being. They will be allowed to come in for physical classes if classrooms are available.

According to the SOPs issued by the government, the students and staff members appearing for physical classes will have to wear a mask at all times. The student will also have to maintain proper social distancing while attending classes. Common spaces such as pools and assembly halls will most likely remain closed.

The Tamil Nadu government also announced the reopening of schools for students of Classes 9 to 12 from September 1 across the state. According to the SOPs, students have been split into batched of 20 for classroom studies, to make sure that social distancing is maintained.

All teachers and non-teaching staff are also being urged to get themselves vaccinated as soon as possible to make sure that they don’t fall at risk of COVID-19. Thermal checks will also be conducted at the entry points of each school and college.