The state government’s decision to reopen schools for students of classes V to VIII was met with a poor response, as majority of the parents preferred keeping their wards at home on the first day owing to the new coronavirus scare. The attendance in most of the government schools here remained below 50 percent, while the private schools were found closed.
As per information, the private school heads held a meeting with the faculty members today discussing the SOP released by the government. The school heads informed that they have decided to first ensure proper precaution at the premises and implement all the guidelines mentioned in SOP. Therefore, they would open the schools from Monday.
Jasveer Kaur, incharge, Government Middle School, Ravidas Nagar, said that out of 117 students, only 60 students came to attend the classes today. "While a majority of students showed interest in attending classes today, but their parents were reluctant to send them. However, as it was a Parents Teacher Meet (PTM) today, so we assured them that all the required safety guidelines are being followed in the school. Consent forms were later signed by them", she added.
Similarly, a teacher from Government Primary School Anand Nagar, said, on the first day, only limited number of students arrived in the school. There were just 13 students present today out of 29 students. "Following the announcement by education minister, the school teachers had informed parents about reopening of schools on phone. Besides, parents who had come to drop their children signed consent forms at the school only", she said.
Excited to join the school after a long time, Rajshri, a class VIII student, in conversation with True Scoop, said, “due to unavailability of unlimited internet and a smart phone, I had to skip my virtual classes. Most of the chapters also remained unclear. However, now I'm expecting to cover the syllabus in the presence of my teachers”.
Simran, another student, said, offline classes couldn't replace the experience of online classes. "After few months of lockdown, I started having pain in my eyes and the poor internet connection remained a major constraint in attending online classes", she further said.
Already facing difficulty in bringing senior secondary students back to school, majority of private school planned to resume classes for 5-8 class students from Monday onwards.
“Parents aren't giving consent to send their children to the school. Hence, we have decided to welcome students of junior classes from January 15 onwards”, said a private school head master.
District Education Officer, Harinder Pal Singh said; there was a turnout of nearly 60 percent students in the government schools today.