Lukewarm response to reopening of Mormugao schools

THE GOAN NETWORK | OCTOBER 19, 2021, 12:19 AM IST

VASCO

The government’s decision to allow schools in the State to reopen for physical classes from Std 9 to Std 12 from Monday was met with a lukewarm response in Mormugao taluka.

Only a few schools reopened for physical classes, while many schools continued with online classes in the taluka.

While students were pleased to return to school and interact with their classmates after about one-and-half years, teachers were equally happy to meet their students back in school. The schools have been asked to adhere to Covid guidelines and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).

Meanwhile, the Keshav Smruti School in Dabolim has hailed the government’s decision to allow schools to reopen for physical classes from Std 9 to Std 12 and wants other sections to restart as well.

School Principal Sushma Korgaonkar said parents were initially apprehensive when the education department had said that exams would be held offline for Std 9 and Std 10 students.

"The parents later approached our school and requested us to take classes for students to help clear their doubts. After we had a meeting with parents, our school began classes in September for Std 10 using two batches in alternative divisions on alternate days.”

“The government has now asked us to reopen schools and we will have exams till October 26. We will start regular classes from November 17 by following all government and school SOPs after cooperation from PTA," said Korgaonkar.

School Vice Principal Rajashree Jadhav said she was happy to have students back and hailed the government’s decision to restart physical classes for students though initially only for Std 9 and Std 10 standards.

The school chairman Pandurang Korgaonkar said the government should have taken the decision earlier.

"We request the government to also permit resumption of physical classes for Stds 1 to 4 and 5 to 8. We will assure that we strictly adhere to all required SOPs. We have started our schools since the last six months for those students who wanted to seek the help of teachers by coming to school," said Korgaonkar.


Not taken into confidence, students unvaccinated: Parents in port town

VASCO: Some parents in the port town were apprehensive about sending their children to attend physical classes in schools, claiming that they were not taken into confidence in the matter and were also concerned about safety as students attending physical classes were still unvaccinated.

A parent, N Estibeiro, said his child’s school had not taken parents into confidence.

"The school has neither convened a meeting with parents nor has it shown us the government’s circular in this matter. We have only been sent a message telling us to drop our children to school. Who will guarantee the safety of our children? The government must reconsider its decision.”

“Teachers and parents should have some coordination before the school conducts exams directly, but schools have begun directly conducting exams without any information," said Esrebeiro.

Another parent, P Pawar, said none of the students were vaccinated and hence, attending physical classes in schools was still unsafe as Covid cases were still prevalent.

"Our schools gave us no information and did not even convene a PTA meeting. Some schools have not opened and we are concerned. The school has not informed us about its SOPs and we are not sure if they will adhere to these SOPs regularly.”

“We cannot expect children to follow social distancing when school begins or ends for the day all of them will leave the classroom together. The school has only asked us that children must strictly attend school. This is a wrong decision by the government," said Pawar.


Happy to be back, offline classes better than online, say students

VASCO: Students of Std 9 and Std 10 were visibly pleased to return to physical classed in school after about one-and-half years and were equally happy to meet their classmates.

"Offline classes are better than online classes as attending a physical class, clearing our doubts and solving difficulties is always better. I look forward to meeting our friends and classmates by following the SOPs," said a student, Manisha.

Another student, Ashutosh, said all SOPs were being followed in his school.

"We had no options during the pandemic and were forced to attend online classes. Though our teachers have helped us and did their best during online classes, it is great to be back to school and attend physical classes,” he said.

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