MARGAO
City schools reopened on Monday after a long Covid break with some of the schools resuming offline classes in a staggered manner, and have drawn up plans to go in full steam by the weekend.
Students who made it to the schools on Monday expressed happiness they are back in the schools, with many of them meeting their friends as well as their teachers after a long break. While many came to the schools in their respective school uniforms, many were attired in routine costumes.
Given that Monday was the first day of reopening of the schools, most managements shut the schools after 2-3 hours.
The schools also put in place Covid protocols, including sanitisers, with staff seen subjecting the students to thermal gun screening before allowed entry.
The Holy Spirit High School, Margao welcomed the students of Classes 9 and 10 on day one of the reopening. The headmistress informed that the school has decided to go about opening the school in a staggered manner in the interests of the students.
“Today (Monday), we have held classes for students of Std 9 and 10. Tomorrow (Tuesday), classes for students of Std 8 will commence. From Wednesday, we plan to reopen schools for students of Std 5 to 10. We have put this arrangement in place to get a clear picture of how many students report to the schools and the arrangements that need to be put in place”, Mendes said.
She added: “Given that the Education Department’s circular had come at short notice, it was not possible to put in place a time-table within a day. But, we have decided to adhere to all the norms laid down in the Education Department’s circular”.
The headmistress further said that the Holy Spirit School will start offline examinations for the students of Std 5 to 7, even as she appealed to the children to come to the school and answer the exams.
Students were sanitized and allowed entry inside after being subjected to thermal gun screening.
A Class 10 student told the media that he feels good to be back in school.
“We had the occasion to meet our teachers as well as friends. We could also study well, free from distractions. There were so many issues relating to online classes including poor network ", the student added.
Another girl student pointed out that the students can now get their grievances addressed with the teachers. “If we follow the Covid protocols, there won’t be any problems”, she added.
A parent Fayaz said the experience has shown that students do not study online, adding that they will perform better in offline classes.
“There are not many Covid cases now. Subjecting the students to thermal screening and sanitizing them every day should help in keeping Covid at bay”, Fayaz added.
