Mixed response to reopening of schools in Punjab, Haryana

AMRITSAR/JALANDHAR/ROHTAK : There was a mixed response to the reopening of primary and pre-primary schools in Punjab and Haryana on Monday. The schools had been shut for 10 months due to the covid-19 pandemic.

“On Monday, only 15% primary students turned up. Not many students showed up. School authorities spoke to many parents and most of them said it will be wait-andwatch for them for 3-4 days, before sending their kids to school,” said the principal of a local private school, adding that all safeguards against covid-19 were followed.

Deputy district education officer (DEO) for primary schools, Rekha Mahajan, said, “Government primary schools reported good attendance, of around 60% in some schools. The state government has given a grant of Rs 12,000 to each government primary school to ensure covid norms are followed.” Anganwadi centres reported 40% attendance.

Primary schools in Doaba received a good response. Jalandhar district education office said over 60% attendance was seen across primary schools. Kapurthala DEO (elementary) Gurbhajan Singh said that over 70% children attended schools. DEO (elementary) SBS Nagar Pawan Kumar said nearly 80% attendance was seen in primary Classes 1-5, 77% attendance in pre-primary classes in over 400 schools.

In Haryana, re-opening of schools for students of Classes 6 to 8 evoked a good response in multiple districts as 40% students reached schools to attend classes after almost 10 months.

Rajesh Kumar, a teacher at government school in Bhiwani, said less than 35% students reported, with Classes 6-8 reopening on Monday. “The attendance was low because many students are yet to get a certificate from any health centre or a doctor to certify that they do not have covid-like symptoms. Written consent from parents is also required,” he added.

A senior official of the Haryana school education department said that they have not received information about students’ strength on the first day due to internet ban in the majority of the districts.