UP schools to begin offline teaching for classes 6-8 today

LUCKNOW: Schools across UP will resume physical teaching for classes 6 to 8 on Tuesday and for classes 1 to 5 from September 1, after a six-month hiatus. The institutions were engaged in activities to ensure students’ safety in view of the probable third wave of Covid.

While some schools had different timings for junior classes and no refreshment break for any class, a few others had decided to resume offline classes from September 1 as this would enable them to get their buildings sanitised and buses ready for smooth transportation of students, said officials.

Director general (school education), Anamika Singh, said schools had been asked to adhere to all Covid protocols and follow standard operating procedures issued earlier to ensure safety of students.

Chairman of GD Goenka Public School, Sarvesh Goel said, “We are reopening for classes 1 to 8 from September 1.”

A few others like La Martiniere Girls’ College decided not to begin physical classes for some more time.

“We are not reopening anytime soon,” said Aashrita Dass, LMGC principal.

However, majority of schools will resume physical classes for students of classes 6 to 12.

As mandated by the state government, schools had taken feedback from parents about their kids attending physical classes.

“Consent trends from parents show above 60% willingness to join offline classes. Larger schools plan to work in shifts as smaller ones will run in single shifts,” said Mala Mehra, principal of Hoerner College.

“Schools will not have any refreshment break or canteen service and there will be two shifts of 3 hours. We are going to ensure compliance of all SOPs given by the government,” she said.

“Social distancing will be maintained in the school premises as well as in classrooms. To avoid crowding, assembly will be conducted inside the classrooms.

Children will carry their own water bottles and sanitisers and wear masks at all times. Every campus has a well equipped infirmary for children,” said Jagdish Gandhi, founder of City Montessori School, which has 12,902 students in classes 6 to 8 on all campuses.

St Teresa’s College will resume physical classes (1 to 12) from September 1 as online quarterly examinations were on till August 30.

Geetika Kapoor, principal, said: “Classes will be conducted on alternate days or in double shifts, depending on the strength of students attending offline classes.”

“All SOPs for Covid will be followed. Parents have been filling the consent form and a copy of the rules and regulations has been circulated. All the staff members and support staff have been vaccinated,” said Kapoor.

The state government had issued standard operating procedures (SOPs) regarding the resumption of offline classes.