Despite DAO's restrictions, TU urges colleges to run physical classes if possible

KATHMANDU, September 17: Amid the restriction enforced to resume physical classes in educational institutions by the District Administration Office, Kathmandu, the Tribhuvan University (TU) has urged the colleges of its affiliation to run physical classes from Friday if possible. 

“A meeting of the TU Executive Council held Sunday directed the colleges to run physical classes by coordinating with the local levels for the risk control by applying precautions against the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Chief of Information and Public Relations Division of TU Yogendra Prasad Dahal.      

With the rising cases of COVID-19, the TU affiliated and constituent colleges had suspended physical classes from April 29. Since then, the colleges were running virtual classes in the time of lockdown.

Dahal said that the campuses, departments and schools have been asked to arrange classes in person by considering the inevitability of running direct classes.

Meanwhile, the local administration in Kathmandu district has restricted the physical classes in the schools in Kathmandu district. 

Issuing a prohibitory order on Thursday, the District Administration (DAO), Kathmandu said that the local levels (metropolitan city and municipalities) should first analyze the situation of COVID-19 at the local level before taking any decision to run physical classes in education institutions (schools). 

The district administration also stated that teaching and non-teaching staff of the schools and members of school management committees should also be vaccinated for the operation of physical classes. 

The order will come into force from Friday. 

Similarly, the local levels should formulate a guideline for the operation of schools physically after consulting guardians and concerned stakeholders. 

Though other sectors are allowed to operate their businesses and activities as usual, schools are yet to operate with physical presence of teachers and students.