Schooling will never be same again, feel students

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, July 28

The schools in city have reopened to an encouraging response with almost consistent 50 per cent attendance in the past three days. While a handful private schools are still waiting for consent before resuming offline classes, students who are coming to school feel that caution is the way forward.

“We do not have much option as studies have been affected due to the pandemic. Despite the best efforts to study through online mode, there is so much syllabus left to cover that self study is not helpful. It’s good to be back to school. However, we know the earlier way of learning might not be possible now,” said Amandeep Kaur, a student of Government Senior Secondary School, Putlighar.

Students also feel that compromising on physical classes fearing risk of infection might not be a good decision in the long term. “It’s been a long break from any social contact and on campus school learning. One thing is for sure that we might never really go back to normal schooling, at least for the next one-and-half-years. The only option that schools have is to continue with blended mode of learning. Our school has not reopened as they are still waiting for consent forms. The purpose of offline classes will be fulfilled only if a good number of students come to school,” said Ishaan Marwaha, a Class XII student from Spring Dales Public School.

Even parents are pushing for a normalisation of offline classes. “I feel the best way to function under impending threat of third wave is for schools to allow only 50 per cent student attendance to ensure social distancing. Its become really a challenge for students who are merit holders to keep up with their studies like before through online mode,” said Dr Rajesh, Medical Officer, Manawala, who has been on Covid-19 duty in city ever since the pandemic hit. His younger son Sameer, who is a Class XI student, has been attending offline classes four days a week. “The only thing to take care is to ensure I follow safety measures. Studies are important and so schools must now be allowed to function without any glitch,” shares Sameer.

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