Schools in Delhi reopen amid strict Covid guidelines
Chatter fills hallways, classrooms as overjoyed students return to schools after 17 months
Wearing masks and carrying umbrellas as heavy rains lashed Delhi, students of classes 9-12 returned to schools after they reopened on Wednesday following a long hiatus due to Covid-19. Some institutions, however, chose to adopt a wait-andwatch approach and have decided to call children for physical classroom studies only after a few weeks. Delhi deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia tweeted: “After 17 months schools have reopened and students will again sit and study in classrooms and have fun with their friends.”
“And yes, children have come to schools despite rains and it is obvious they were waiting eagerly for the schools to reopen,” he said, adding that he looks forward to meeting students.
Mr Sisodia said: “Schools were closed for the last 1.5 years due to the pandemic.
During this time, there has been a lot of damage to the education of the children. We are concerned about the health of the children but also their education. If schools and colleges are not opened now, then an entire generation will move forward with a knowledge gap. We are in full alert mode and it will be ensured in all schools that Covid related protocols and social distancing are followed. Based on the experiences of the first round, the decision on opening the school for other classes will be taken.”
Mr Sisodia said: “Government officials and school administration are fully alert. It will be ensured that all schools follow Covid protocol and social distancing. At present, schools are being opened with 50 per cent capacity, but once these protocols become a habit among children, schools will be opened with full capacity.”
Mr Sisodia further said: “Many experts were of the opinion that the risk of Covid in children is low. Keeping this in view, schools can be opened for primary classes starting from 100-150 schools. But, the Government will decide to open schools for primary classes only on the basis of the experience of opening schools for the higher grades.”
Following a marked improvement in the Covid situation in the national capital, the Delhi government on Friday had announced that schools for classes 9 to 12, colleges and coaching institutions would reopen from September 1.
There are about seven lakh students in government schools from classes 9-12, but owing to Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) guidelines, only 50 per cent students per classroom are allowed.
Government schools
operate in two shifts — morning and evening.
Head the Government Girls Senior Secondary School, Vasundhara Enclave, Usha Rajput, said, “We were completely ready to reopen. We sanitised the campus and our staff has been vaccinated. Students were extremely happy to be back in school. Now all their queries and doubts can be addressed promptly. Students were also missing school. The third wave is a concern but we are hopeful
that if all precautions are taken, we will be able to function smoothly,” she said.
At a government school in Mayur Vihar, teachers had decorated the entrance with Rangoli and performed a welcome dance for students.
Rupa, a teacher at a government school in Tilak Nagar said,”There was less turnout due to rains. But we are expecting more students from tomorrow.”
“Students have to bring a non-objection certificate daily from their parents. They were excited to come to school after such a long time,” she said.
The Delhi government has said that no student would be forced to attend physical classes and consent of parents is mandatory.
Mridu Gupta, a physics teacher at a government school in Brahmpuri, said that science students were not able to attend practical classes as schools were closed. “With the resumption of physical classes, we will be able to start practical work. But today there were lesser number of students due to the morning rainfall,” Gupta said.
Besides 50 per cent students per classroom, the DDMA has also notified other safety guidelines for reopening schools such as mandatory thermal screening, staggered lunch breaks, alternate seating arrangement and avoiding routine guest visits.