Low student turnout but school managements keep their hopes high

Tribune news service

Amritsar, January 7, 2021

 As schools in Punjab reopened from Class V onwards today, the government schools in city saw low turnout. Resuming classroom studies after a gap of nine months, students from class V, VI and VIII were seen coming to the schools with masks on and following the safety instructions guided by their teachers.

Students of senior classes have already been attending classes since October 15. The private schools, however, are still waiting for parental consent before calling middle school students to school.

 Meanwhile, government school teachers welcomed the decision to resume the offline classes with several school management committee members welcoming the students and offering parents a tour of the schools to see safety measures put in place on the premises.

 DEO Satinder Singh said the SOPs issued by government regarding reopening were in place. “The school complex, furniture, necessary materials have been sanitised and pedal sanitisers have also been provided to the schools and seating arrangement made to maintain appropriate distance in the classrooms. We are encouraging students in order to increase students strength in coming days.”

Meanwhile, teachers and school heads ensured quick implementation of SOPs to prepare the schools after sudden announcement. “We had informed the students and parents regarding the reopening yesterday evening through voice messages and we are also calling parents for a PT meet today and tomorrow to inform parents about the safety measures being implemented at schools. We had dismal turnout today but we are hoping that in coming days more students would start coming in,” said Suresh Kumar, principal, Government Elementary School, Mall road.

Classes were held till 2 pm and 10-12 students were seated in every classroom ensuring social distancing. The overall student strength in most government schools remained low.

However, private schools in city will wait for a few more days before calling students of middle classes as parental consent remained an issue. Though, the schools are prepared for reopening, said Dr Anita Bhalla, secretary of Sahodaya Schools, said that thorough planning will be done before the school opens for middle classes.

Parents, too, remained sceptical as the decision by the state government came suddenly and amid concerns of new Covid 19 strain.

Students welcomed with garlands

 Government Senior Secondary School Mall Road and Government Elementary School Gopal Nagar gave a warm welcome to students on arrival with school principal Mandeep Kaur presenting garlands to students. The students of Class VI and VIII came to school to get surprise welcome with DEO Satinder bir Singh and Deputy DEO Rekha Mahajan in presence.

Mandeep Kaur said that since the students were coming to school after a gap of nine months, the welcome was an encouragement and appreciation for them to return to normal classroom education.

Rekha Sharma, principal, Government Elementary School, Gopal Nagar said the decision of the Punjab government was in the interest of the students as those who could not get access to online education can now return to classroom teaching.

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