Schools reopen for classes 6 to 8 students across UP from today

In Lucknow schools, attendance is likely to remain thin as many parents are in a dilemma over sending their wards to schools

LUCKNOW: Although the state government has allowed reopening of classes for all students of class 6 to 8 from Wednesday (February 10), the attendance is likely to remain thin as opinion is divided among parents in Lucknow on whether to send their children to school as classes resume.

A number of parents have said a firm no till their children are inoculated while others are in a dilemma. The educational institutions have been advised to reopen with 50% attendance while adhering to Covid protocol as per the state government order. Barring a few prominent missionaries/convent schools which have decided to restart physical classes only from the new academic session in the state capital, majority of private English medium schools will resume physical classes from Wednesday.

The schools that will only run online classes include La Martiniere Girls College, Loreto Convent, St Agnes Loreto Day School and St Francis School, Gomti Nagar. St Francis College, Hazratganj, may call students of class 6 to 8 from February 15.

The private and government schools that will reopen from Wednesday will teach students of class 6 on Mondays and Thursdays, class 7 on Tuesdays and Fridays and class 8 students on Wednesdays and Saturdays, according to order issued by Renuka Kumar, additional chief secretary, UP basic education department.

Likewise, when teaching will resume for primary classes from March 1, the schools will call students of class 1 and 5 on Mondays and Thursdays, of class 2 and 4 on Tuesdays and Fridays and of class 3 on Wednesday and Saturday, says the order. Basic education minister Satish Chandra Dwivedi said, “Mid-day meal will be distributed from day one of reopening. School management committees and teachers have been asked to ensure that every student gets cooked meal as they were getting before the closure.”

Students to be called on odd-even roll number basis

In Lucknow, La Martiniere College has issued guidelines for optional physical classes for 6 to 8 from Wednesday. Principal Carlyle McFarland said, “On Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, pupils with odd roll numbers will be allowed to attend classes. On Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, pupils with even roll numbers will be called. Roll numbers of each pupil shall be uploaded in the class specific WhatsApp groups. This is a 2-digit number and not to be confused with the college personal number of 5 digits. There will be no assembly until further orders.”

“Lessons for classes 6 to 8 will be conducted concurrently from 10 am to 2 pm (Monday to Saturday). Students shall be permitted entry from gate No 4 from 9:30 am,” the principal said.

“The online/distance education model currently in practice shall continue alongside optional physical lessons. Boarding facilities shall not be offered to pupils till the standard operating procedures (SOPs) for resident scholars are issued by the government.

The online/distance education model shall continue for them. All assessment and evaluation shall continue online except for classes 10 and 12,” he added.

Students must bring consent letter from parents

As per the government guidelines, no students will be allowed to attend physical classes without written consent from parents. The students must bring consent letter of parents with them.

Improved infrastructure in govt schools

More than 1.83 crore students are enrolled in government primary and upper primary schools that remained closed since March last year due to the pandemic. Chief minister Yogi Adityanath said when kids return to schools after 11 months, they will see many changes, including improved infrastructure, as several government schools have undergone a sea change under the Kayakalp scheme. Government school kids will now have access to smart classes, library facilities etc. Out of 1,642 schools in Lucknow, 100 have been refurbished.

School Association happy

The Unaided Private Schools’ Association, UP, expressed its pleasure over the decision as they had recently urged the state government to allow reopening of schools for classes 6 to 8 followed by the primary sections for classes 1 to 5.

Schools across the state had been closed in March last following the outbreak of Covid-19. Later, the government allowed reopening of schools for classes 9 to 12 from October 19. For the rest, online classes were on.

The association had recently met deputy chief minister Dinesh Sharma, requesting him to allow reopening of schools up to class 6 so that physical classes could be held before the annual examinations. It had even formulated guidelines and standard operating procedures (SOPs) for reopening of schools for classes 6 to 8.

Anil Agarwal, president of the association, said “All SOPs regarding sanitisation, oxygen cylinders etc will be followed strictly. Fee defaulters will not be allowed to attend classes. We look forward to a fruitful exchange of learning during these physical classes.”