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PRAYAGRAJ: The ministry of human resource and development (MHRD) has instructed the chairmen of various institutions coming under it to permit the teaching and non-teaching staff of their respective organisations to work from home till March 31 in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak.The letter, signed by Amit Khare , secretary, MHRD on Saturday, has been addressed to the chairmen of University Grant Commission ( UGC ), All India Council for Technical Education ( AICTE ), National Council for teacher education (NCTE), Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), National Testing Agency (NTA), National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) and all other autonomous organisation coming under the ministry.The letter removes all ambiguity over the past couple of days regarding the attendance of teaching and non-teaching staff as well as research scholars of various schools colleges and universities across the country.The letter states that the faculty members, teachers and researchers can utilise this period for various academic activities such as preparing question banks, writing articles, carrying out research, etc.The letter further states that the said period shall be counted as being on duty for all teachers and researches as well as non teaching staff, including adhoc and contract teachers, whose contracts are valid at least up to March 31.It also mentions that students who are still in the hostel, particularly foreign students, should be allowed to stay at their hostels and advised them to take all necessary safety precautions.