Bengaluru Private Schools Issue Fresh SOP on COVID-19 Precautions Amid Rising Concerns

Bengaluru, May 26, 2025 – As schools prepare to reopen for the new academic year, the Karnataka Association of Management Schools (KAMS) has released a fresh set of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to address health precautions in light of emerging COVID-19 variants and seasonal viral infections. The advisory, issued on Sunday, comes in response to a recent COVID-19-related death in the city and growing concerns about new variants, urging private schools to prioritize student safety while maintaining a calm and informed approach.

Key Guidelines in the SOP

The updated SOP emphasizes a strict health-based attendance policy to curb the spread of infections. Key points include:

• Symptom-Based Attendance Restrictions: Students exhibiting symptoms such as fever, cough, cold, or skin rashes are not permitted to attend school. Parents are advised to seek immediate medical attention for their children if these symptoms appear.
• Isolation Protocols: If a student falls ill during school hours, schools are directed to isolate the child safely, provide basic first aid, and notify parents immediately.
• Sanitization and Hygiene: Schools are instructed to conduct thorough sanitization of premises, including classrooms, common areas, and high-touch surfaces. The SOP also promotes awareness campaigns on hygiene practices, such as handwashing and respiratory etiquette.
• Avoiding Panic: KAMS has urged stakeholders to rely on official updates from health authorities and avoid spreading unverified information about COVID-19 to prevent unnecessary alarm.

Shashi Kumar D, General Secretary of KAMS, emphasized that the measures are precautionary and rooted in social responsibility. “We haven’t received specific guidelines from the government yet, but as an association, we are taking proactive steps to ensure the health of our students is prioritized over attendance records,” he told The Times of India. Kumar also reassured parents, stating, “There is no need for panic. Children who are healthy and symptom-free can safely attend school.”

Context and Background

The issuance of the SOP follows a reported COVID-19-related death in Bengaluru on Saturday, which has heightened concerns among parents and educators. While the Karnataka Health Department has not reported widespread cases of new variants, the rise in seasonal viral infections, including cases of Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) earlier this year, has prompted schools to remain vigilant. In January 2025, KAMS issued similar advisories in response to HMPV cases, recommending masks and heightened health surveillance, though masks were not made mandatory.

The new SOP aligns with earlier recommendations from the Department of School Education and Literacy (DSEL), which emphasized basic respiratory etiquette during the HMPV outbreak, similar to protocols used during the COVID-19 pandemic. The DSEL is expected to release additional guidelines soon, but private schools have taken the initiative to implement measures independently.

Stakeholder Response

Parents and school managements have welcomed the proactive approach but expressed concerns about consistent implementation. “The guidelines are clear, but enforcement varies across schools. Some institutions are stricter, while others are more lenient,” said Priya Rao, a parent from a private school in Whitefield. Schools like Delhi Public School (DPS) in Bengaluru and Mysuru have already adopted heightened surveillance measures, including advising parents not to send children with even mild symptoms to school.

KAMS has called for cooperation from parents, teachers, and students to create safe and reassuring learning environments. The association has also urged schools to communicate regularly with parents to ensure transparency and adherence to the SOP.

Broader Implications

The release of the SOP reflects Bengaluru’s private schools’ ongoing efforts to balance educational continuity with health safety. While government schools have shown recovery in learning levels post-COVID, private schools continue to face challenges in regaining pre-pandemic academic performance, as noted in the ASER 2024 report. The focus on health precautions underscores the need to protect students’ well-being while fostering academic progress.

As Bengaluru navigates this latest health challenge, the KAMS SOP serves as a reminder of the importance of vigilance, preparedness, and community cooperation in safeguarding the city’s students. For further updates, schools and parents are advised to follow official communications from KAMS and the Karnataka Health Department.