Schools in Punjab reopen for all classes

Shivani Bhakoo

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, August 2

Schools in the state were reopened for all classes today as the government further relaxed Covid-19 restrictions in the wake of declining number of cases. Students started coming to schools after a long “forced break” and tried to get back to their routine. Though in some of the schools the attendance was thin as it was the first day, at many other schools, good number of students were seen coming to the schools.

The school managements made it clear that parents’ consent was must for students to attend offline classes.

At Government Senior Secondary School for Girls, Bharat Nagar Chowk, in higher classes, good number of students turned up while in classes VI and VII, the attendance of students was low, but teachers expect that by next week, they will get better response from the students. One of the senior teachers said that they were asking students to get the consent letters signed by the parents and majority of the students were getting it.

“All are talking about the third wave now and only the children (up to 18 years) are left, who have to be vaccinated yet. We are trying to get all the precautions of wearing masks, using sanitisers, but we cannot keep a check on them every second”, said the teacher.

In many private schools, turn by turn classes are being conducted to avoid rush. Paramjit Kaur, Principal, BCL School Shastri Nagar, said that students in groups to attend classes. From next week, students up to primary level will attend classes. “We are not holding classes for all six days. These can be 2-3 days and slowly, we will increase the working days as per circumstances. As far as online classes are concerned, these will not be stopped. Even if offline classes are started, online classes will go a long way”, said the Principal.

Sanjiv Thapar, Principal, Government Senior Secondary Smart School PAU, said, “The students are showing interest in coming to schools. Online classes will be stopped once there will be good attendance in offline classes as children are coming back to their normal lives in these Covid times”.

Meanwhile, the students were elated to go to school after a long time. Many students carried their mobile phones with them and clicked the classroom pictures to share with their friends whose schools were yet to be opened. Navpreet, a student of a reputed school in BRS Nagar, said it felt good to wear school dress and attend the class.