Schools reopen: The pictures say it all
Shreya Jachak and Prayag Arora-desai
MUMBAI: State-board schools reopened on Wednesday two years after they were hastily shuttered on account of Covid-19. The reopening amidst yet another spike in cases presented a curious scene at most schools. Wailing toddlers being subjected to temperature checks, masks askew or entirely missing while teachers and school staff tried to boost student morale with special treats.
“I was wondering if my child would cry as he has only attended online school so far and has not spent any time away from us but today at school, someone dressed up as his favourite cartoon character, held his hand and led him into the classroom,” said Sheila Panda, mother of five-year-old Ansh who is enrolled at Anand Vishwa Gurukul School in Thane.
Attendance rate on day 1 stood between 75% to 95% at most schools. “I worry about my teacher being strict but I am also happy I will get to meet my friends who stay far away from me and who I couldn’t meet for so long,” said Isaac, a Std. 5 student of Don Bosco High School, Borivali. At another Borivali school, St. Anne’s High School, teachers found themselves helping students reorient themselves to their surroundings. A few of them, who had been studying in junior KG in 2020, instinctively returned to their old classrooms and had to be escorted to the second standard premises. This was also the case at Holy Cross School, Kurla. “Students who have progressed from primary to secondary were sitting in the wrong classrooms. I also observed that the students were behaving more maturely but I suppose it’s only a matter of time till they get comfortable and start with their mischief again,” said Rewati Kulkarni, assistant teacher.
Almost all schools shut early on Wednesday, with little to no academic instruction taking place.
“We did not want to burden the children with anything heavy. Today was all about us celebrating their return. Our teachers took great initiative and decorated their classrooms to make them feel welcome on campus. They were given books, pencils and erasers as welcome gifts,” said Madhavi Wagle, principal, Malti Jayant Dalal High School, Santacruz. Wagle did, however, emphasise that students were given refresher instructions on maintaining Covid-safety measures, including wearing of masks. “We also encourage parents to vaccinate eligible children,” she added.
Parents meanwhile could be seen in high-spirits for a variety of reasons but mainly relief. Vinod Tiwari, parent to two daughters (ages 6 and 9) who are enrolled at St. Mary’s School in Kalyan said, “My wife and I have both been going to work for the last six months, so we’ve had to leave the kids behind with my mother, and caring for them has taken a toll on her. The girls were very excited to meet their friends after such a long time.”