HYDERABAD: Following the state government’s decision to reopen colleges for physical classes from September 1, managements are planning to start with practical classes for the first few weeks.
Students across Telangana will be returning to the classrooms after more than 1.5 years. According to sources, the government is likely to adopt the same guidelines that were issued in September last year with slight modifications. While the city colleges are awaiting clear guidelines from the state government on reopening, many are planning to begin with practical sessions.
“The pharmacy course for example is a lab-oriented course. Every student will have to undergo atleast three to four lab classes every week. Students have not been exposed to any lab sessions for the last 1.5 years. It’s time we begin with practical knowledge,” said K Ramdass, president of Telangana Pharmacy Colleges Association.
Vaccination of teachers and students will play a pivotal role as colleges have already started collecting data ahead of reopening.
“We have asked all our teachers and students to submit their vaccination certificates to us before the reopening. Those who are not vaccinated are being encouraged to atleast get their first dose before the reopening. Apart from this, we have also started taking up sanitization measures,” said Fareetha Farzana, principal, Shine India Degree College, LB Nagar.
Many colleges running in standalone buildings in and around Hyderabad may find it difficult to maintain social distancing. Therefore, colleges want the government to adopt a shift system for students.
“In the shift system, first and second year students can be called during morning hours and others in the afternoon hours. Not just that, students can also be divided into batches and called on alternate days to maintain social distancing,” said Laxma Reddy, director, Association for Strengthening Private Initiative in Rural Education.
