TED NewsDesk, Patna: Comprehending the Center’s decision to reopen schools from October 15, Bihar’s education department is likely to develop a framework as on how to restart formal classes in schools in the upcoming week. The Ministry of Home Affairs laid guidelines and protocols for reopening and carrying out secured physical courses. On Friday, Mr. Sanjay Kumar, the principal secretary of education, said that the education department would take specific steps keeping in mind the SOPs and current situation of COVID-19 in the state.
“We have SOP in consultation with the stakeholders,” he informed.
On October 21, various schools across the country reopened for the IX to XII grade students. These students had the provision to voluntarily come to school to clear their doubts and sought academic assistance from their teachers. However, a few schools reported only 15% of the students or, at times, below that could show up.
Rajiv Ranjan Sinha, the CBSE city coordinator, said, “It will be better if the state government permits normal functioning of classes IX to XII on an alternate basis.” “We are equipped than the government schools,” added the principal of Baldwin Academy.
The Center, in its order to reopen, empowered the States and Union Territories with the liberty to keep these educational institutions closed, given the condition of their respective localities. It further warned that the consent of parents is mandatory. There is no attendance compulsion. The Center, through these guidelines, suggested to adopt and encourage online teaching and learning as a standard method.
Mr. V.S. Ojha, Principal, DAV Public School BSEB Colony, assured they plan to abide by the SOPs released by the MHA.
“It will be mandatory for the students and staff to wear masks, carry hand sanitizer and own water bottles,” said Mr. Anand Prakash, Principal, St. Paul’s High School. He added that the children would need to have written consent from their parents to attend classes.
Schools like Jesus and Mary Academy had taken steps to disinfect and sanitize the premises before the resumption of doubt classes. Mr. Abhishek Patrik, the school director, said that the doubt classes were conducted twice a week with very few students. He elaborated that the authorities equipped the school with preventive measures to contain Coronavirus’s spread during usual sessions.
The government’s decision concerning the shift from digital to offline platform came with mixed reactions from parents and their wards. It witnessed a wave of excitement within many while others extended their concerns about the risk of attending offline classes amid the COVID outbreak.
Considering the horrific expansion in the number of COVID cases within the past few months, Shipra, a student of Notre Dame Academy, preferred to wait for some more days. Shipra studies in Class XI.
“Without computer practical and lab work, it is impossible to understand some of the topics, no matter how much we read the theory part,” outlined Priya Singh, a student of Class IX at Saint Karen’s Secondary School.
A student of Class XII at Litera Valley School named Ashutosh plans to attend classes if the administration promises to provide necessary precautions. He emphasized, “Taking classes on alternate days will be convenient for students to clear few doubts through the online classes. But personal transportation will be preferred to the school bus.”
Even the parents reacted in a somewhat similar manner.
Putting up her views Pragya Kumari, parent of a child studying in class X at Delhi Public School, claimed, “Proper schooling is essential for the overall development of a student. So, I am looking forward to sending my ward to school while taking all the precautionary measures.”
With more than 71 lakh COVID-19 cases, India stands at a very crucial stage. A total of 8,61,853 cases are active across the country. Taking into consideration the day-to-day rise in the number of cases, the decision of resuming formal classes may put the lives of kids at risk. However, taking proper precautions and following the instructions of the government is a suitable alternative for the safe commencement of classes.