Universities, colleges in Punjab to fully open from January 21

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, January 18

The Punjab government has decided to reopen all the government, aided and non-aided colleges, including all the government and private universities, from January 21.

All the higher educational institutes have to follow the guidelines issued by the Punjab government regarding Covid-19 from time to time. The Higher Education Department, Punjab, has issued a detailed letter to all the universities and colleges in this regard.

The official spokesperson of the Punjab Government has said that as per the guidelines issued by the government, in the interest of the students, the educational institutions should conduct classes through both offline and online medium and conduct the semester/annual examinations through offline medium only.

At the same time students would be allowed to take classes as per their choice and no institute should compel the students to attend the classes physically.

The spokesperson said hostels should be opened in the universities and colleges following the instructions of Covid-19. Hostel rooms should be allotted per student or according to the size of the room keeping in view the required distance/safety of the students and priority should be given to final year students at the time of allotment.

He further said that the mess/canteen, etc., in the educational institutions should be opened as per the instructions of the health department taking all necessary safety measures.

The spokesperson further said it’s mandatory for all the Universities and Colleges to ensure compliance of all the guidelines/instructions issued by the Punjab government, Centre and the Higher Education Department regarding Covid-19 from time to time in view of the safety of the students.