Many Govt. schools scour for students, some slumber
Government schools are gearing up to open their gates to students for the physical classes from September 1, after a period of shutdown due to the Coronavirus-linked lockdowns. Many parents are now preferring to shift their children to government schools due to financial constraints.
Schools are being readied for classes. Staff started coming to school from Thursday. Some schools are busy with admissions while some government school staff are in slumber, not showing any interest to get more students.
At the Government Primary School at Musheerabad that has English, Urdu and Telugu mediums, the staff was present on Thursday. Headmaster Himayath Ali Jaber said, “We have 257 boys and girls now. Before the pandemic, we had over 400. Once the school starts, we hope to get more students.”
Mahboobia Government Girls High School, Gunfoundry, with a staff of 18, was excited to welcome the students back. It has Classes VI to X. With a strength of 401 students, the staff is proactive and got 102 more students joining it. Most of these were private school students.
Principal Muppidi Uma said, “Our staff is doing their best to get more students for admissions. The classes were totally cleaned and we are expecting another 100 admissions by the time the school starts classes. At this adolescent stage, the students are facing psychological stress, stayinh at their homes. The government decision to reopen schools will give them great relief.”
The Government High School at Musheerabad is doubling as a vaccination centre since May. Now, the school administration has asked the GHMC to vacate the premises as the normal classes are starting.
Head master Narendra Yadav said, “The school has a staff of 26 and 26 classrooms. There are 536 students. A lot of admissions are taking place now. Students from private schools are coming in as many parents are not able to pay the high fees there. Some 125 enquiries have come in this period for new admissions.”
NGO, ‘Plan India’ has distributed free bags and books for the students at the school. Usha Rani, a volunteer, said, “Students are showing a lot of enthusiasm as they are getting back to school.”
The Government Model High School, Aliya, which is situated at the compound of the DEO office, is surrounded by bastis and colonies. The staff is not making any effort to enrol new students to its 107 students. It has a staff of 13, but has no new admission so far.
Its principal Sunanda said, “Once the school starts, more students will join.”
Gajula Sridhar, deputy education officer, Hyderabad, said, “The staff were asked to report for work. Most of the school premises are being cleaned. The GHMC is taking care of the sanitisation of the schools. We will adhere to all the safety measures of Covid as students start attending the classes.”