Responding to the notification issued by Maharashtra Government about re-opening of schools initially with Class XI, X, XI and XII after 8-months, some schools have prepared themselves taking all the Covid-19 rules into account. Some schools because of meek response from students regarding attending schools from Monday, have decided to not to start off-line classes.

 

Most students are fed-up with the on-line classes as they want off-line classes, face-to-face interaction with teachers, meeting their classmates etc. ‘The Hitavada’ talked to students, teachers, Headmasters, school management to know from them their opinion on this issue. Saraswati Vidyalaya, Shankar Nagar is ready to welcome its students on Monday. The school management not only sanitised the building but also kept thermal scanner, and sanitizer ready at the entrance. “We have received huge response from the students and their parents. As per the rule, we had invited consent forms from the parents regarding sending their wards to school. Almost all have responded in a positive manner. We have divided every class into two. Girls will attend the classes from 11 am to 1 pm and boys will attend between 2 pm and 4 pm.

 

The course of Class XII was already completed in on-line mode. They would come to school to do their practicals. They can also come to get their quarries clear,” informed S Prabhuraman. Prakash Somalwar, Secretary of Somalwar Education Society, has put a different point. He explained, “The response we received from the parents is not upto the mark. Against that backdrop we have decided not to start the school from Monday. Secondly, our School Management association namely Maharashtra Rajya Shikshan Sanstha Mahamandal has asked civic body to arrange sanitizers and masks. If that is fulfilled then we will be able to hold classes on off-line mode.” Lavanya Verma, a student of Class X at M K H Sancheti Public School is very much excited to attend school. According to Lavanya, she and her most classmates have fed up with the on-line classes.

 

“The interaction with the school teachers help us in getting answers to our querries. Though our school has conducted our on-line classes in a meticulous manner I think the off-line option is always better. Of course, the coronavirus is still here so we are a bit afraid or I would say we are cautious, due to which I prefered on-line classes for the time being. But as far as writing Board examination is concerned I want to opt for off-line mode,” remarked Lavanya. Dipti Bisht, a Science teacher with Surendragarh Hindi Madhyamik Shala run by Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) said, “Our students responded in an enthusiastic manner. Almost all students will attend the school on Monday. We have sanitised schools, we all have tested ourselves for Covid-19, everybody would wear mask, at the entrance every student, staff members will have to face temperature test.

 

We have drawn circles on the floor also so that students would stand in those circles.” Reena Dargan, President of Sahodaya Group of Schools run by Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) said, “We have not had any interaction among our members regarding starting of off-line classes. But we are not very rigid about starting off-line classes. As Government has asked us to start so we will be starting off-line classes, but the consent of the parents assumes importance. We can’t force students to attend off-line classes in this Covid pandemic. So schools are taking their decisions on the basis of response from the parents.” Reena Dargan is also the Principal of Ira International School.

 

The schools come in rural part of the district have already started conducting off-line classes as different rules are applicable in rural Nagpur. Ira International too comes in rural Nagpur. According to Dargan as she took stock of other CBSE schools they are planning to start off-line classes on the basis of percentage of consents from the parents regarding sending their wards and there is not-a-very enthusiastic response. Students also should carry Covid-19 test reports NMC had issued the guidelines regarding re-starting the off-line classes wherein it had made clear that teachers should get themselves tested for coronavirus.

 

According to some frontline healthworkers who have been constantly working in the hospitals said that students too should be asked to carry Covid 19 reports. One medico pointed out, “School managements don’t know wherefrom the boy or girl is coming, so obviously schools too can’t take the risk. Teachers getting themselves tested for Covid-19 will not be enough, students too should face the Covid-19 test.” Provide sanitizer, Oxymeter: Schools Nagpur Zilla Madhyamik and Uchch Madhyamik Shala Kruti Samiti has sent a letter to Nagpur Municipal Commissioner demanding to provide some facilities. In that letter the Samiti has made it clear that since schools don’t have financial provision to purchase sanitizer, Pulse Oxymeter, thermal thermometer, sanitizer, the civic body should provide the same to schools. Unless NMC makes the provision it would be difficult to start the off-line classes.