Thiruvananthapuram: College campuses in Kerala are back to life as all classes in the institutions resumed on Monday after a COVID-enforced gap of 1.5 years.

The resumption of first and second-year classes for graduate students and first-year post-graduate classes, slated for October 18, were deferred in the light of torrential rains that battered Kerala. Final years graduate and post-graduate classes had resumed on October 4.

The educational sector in Kerala would become active once again with the reopening of schools on November 1. Minister for Education V Sivankutty had instructed officials to complete the preparations for reopening schools by Wednesday.

The minister had also directed schools to convene a Parent-Teacher Association meeting on Wednesday, which would also be attended by representatives of local-self government bodies. The meeting would review the preparedness.

Helplines should be made live in all schools by Wednesday, the minister instructed. One teacher each would be given the responsibility of each class, and reports on the implementation of guidelines should be submitted to district collectors concerned.

Sivankutty added that a set of academic guidelines would be released in two days.

The government has also asked authorities to ensure schools were free of reptiles. Hand sanitiser, thermal scanner, oximeter, and homoeo medicines should be available in all schools.

The schools should also fix responsibility for preparing mid-day meals before November 1, besides ensuring the presence of at least one doctor in each institution. School principals/head masters should also be in constant touch with the local police station.

Teachers and representatives of local-self government bodies should receive students at the main gate on November 1, adhering to COVID-19 protocols.

Fitness certificates would be mandatory, and those schools without the certificates should find out whether the students could be accommodated in the nearest school.

Rs 2.85 crore for purchasing hand wash and soap

The Department of Education has allotted schools Rs 2.85 crore for purchasing hand wash, soaps and buckets to ensure the safety of students.

The department would provide Rs 1,500 to schools with a student strength of up to 50; Rs 2,000 for schools with 51-150 students; Rs 2,500 for institutions with 151-300 students.

Schools with 301-500 students would get Rs 3,000, while others with 501-1,000 students, and those with more than 1,000 pupils would get Rs 4,000, respectively.