Will schools and colleges open from October 15? Fact Check

News Claim: The news is viral on social media claiming that the central government will not open schools and colleges from October 15. The government has changed its decision to open school colleges in its unlocked 5 guidelines.

News Verification: The Government's Fact Check Organization has called this news completely fake. PIB Fact Check has said that the photo which is in the viral news has been tampered with.

दावा: एक #morphed तस्वीर में यह दावा किया जा रहा है कि केंद्र सरकार अब 15 अक्टूबर से स्कूल व कॉलेज नहीं खोलेगी।#PibFactCheck: यह दावा फ़र्ज़ी है। @EduMinOfIndia ने हाल ही में स्कूल खोलने से संबंधित दिशा-निर्देश जारी किए हैं।

यहाँ पढ़ें- https://t.co/4yYopuVOgJ pic.twitter.com/HW1R2rNviF

— PIB Fact Check (@PIBFactCheck) October 8, 2020

The Ministry of Education released guidelines for reopening of schools in a graded manner from October 15. Informing this, Union Cabinet Minister for Education Dr. Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank tweeted stating that states and Union Territories are to prepare their own Standard Operating Procedure for health, hygiene and safety and learning with physical/social distancing.

DoSEL, @EduMinOfIndia has issued SOP/Guidelines for reopening of schools. pic.twitter.com/pwJXZZd40w

— Dr. Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank (@DrRPNishank) October 5, 2020

Here are the highlights:

As per para -1 of @HMOIndia's order no. 40-3/2020-DM-I(A) dated 30.09.2020 for reopening, States/UT Governments may take a decision in respect of reopening of schools and coaching institutions after 15th Oct in a graded manner. #SchoolGuidelines pic.twitter.com/JLfJ97qJsF

— Dr. Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank (@DrRPNishank) October 5, 2020

Guidelines of Union Ministry of Education regarding the opening of schools from October 15.

The Education Ministry on Monday issued guidelines to reopen schools from October 15 under Unlock-5.

• It states that no examination will be taken in schools for two to three weeks.
• The ministry has also asked states and union territories to formulate standard operating procedures based on health and safety precautions as per their local requirements.
• In the guidelines issued for schools to reopen in a gradual manner, the Ministry has asked for the school premises to be completely clean and infection-free. Schools will have to make complete arrangements for all areas, furniture, equipment, stationery, water tanks, kitchens, canteens, toilets, labs, libraries, and make them infection-free. Ensure clean airflow to the inner campus of the school.
• The Ministry of Education has recommended that schools should bring flexibility in policies regarding attendance and sick leave. Students can come to school only with the written consent of the parents. Students can continue doing online classes instead of school if they wish.
• A checklist for a safe school environment, as adopted from the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), guidelines, is provided for schools’ parents, and students to contain the spread of COVID-19.

Verdict: The fact is with proper gaud line issued by the Union Ministry of Education, School can function.