PORVORIM
Students of Std X and XII returned to classes at their schools in Porvorim and surrounding areas after a gap of nearly nine months, but the attendance at most schools was poor on Saturday.
When contacted, heads at LD Samant Memorial High School, Holy Family High School, Sanjay School and Parulekar HSS told The Goan that SOPs were followed before the start of classes.
“About 50% of the 173 students attended classes in the school,” informed LD Memorial High School Headmaster Mhalsakant Deshpande.
“The school had sanitised 3 Bal Rath buses which were earmarked to bring students of Std X and XII to school. The conductors also sanitised the students at the time entering the bus.”
“When the buses arrived the school, the temperatures and oxygen levels of students were checked with a thermal scanned and oximeter and those found fit were allowed in the classrooms.”
“The school had sanitised the classrooms on Friday. As per SOPs, of the education department and State government, only 12 students were permitted in the class. For SSC students, only 4 periods were conducted and from Monday onwards, six periods will be conducted,” said Deshpande.
He informed that classes were conducted for students in the class as well as online for those students who stayed at home. “We expects that attendance of students will improve from Monday,” said Deshpande.
Managing Trustee of Holy Family High School Fatima D’Sa said attendance of students of in Std X was very poor.
“Only 22 of 97 students attended the class. The School PTA has sent a letter to the school stating that those students who have not attended the class on Saturday would continue to attend classes from home.” “Classes and practicals were conducted from 8 am to 10.30 am and students were then allowed to go home. Thereafter from 10.30 am to 1.30 pm, online classes were conducted for those students who did not attend classes in school.”
“It was additional burden for teachers who were forced to work from 8 am to 1.30 pm. As per the SOP, only 12 students were allowed to sit in class and staff checked their temperature and oxygen levels,” said D’Sa.
Headmaster of Sanjay School Tatu Kudalkar said only 11 of the 35 students had attended Std X classes in the school. “The Bal Rath bus was sent to bring students and they were allowed to enter the school after checking their temperature and oxygen levels. Only 6 students were allowed to sit in the class and seven periods were conducted on Saturday,” said Kudalkar.
Headmaster of V M Parulekar Higher Secondary School Prashant Naik said classes for Std XII Arts were conducted on Saturday. “Only 21 of the 52 students attended the classes. Twelve students were allowed to sit in class after proper checking and sanitisation of all students. On Monday, classes for the Std XII Commerce will be conducted,” said Prashant Naik.
