UP tiny-tots welcomed with ‘tilak’ as primary schools reopen a year later

Closed for nearly a year due to the Covid-19 pandemic, primary schools in Uttar Pradesh up to Class V finally reopened on Monday under strict Covid-19 protocol.

All primary schools were declared closed in March 2020 after the outbreak in the state. The decision to reopen them was taken after seeking consent from parents and making all arrangements, particularly in rural areas.

The state government reopened colleges and schools in a phased manner. Colleges for Classes 9 to 12 were opened in November 2020 in view of their Board exams while online classes continued. Schools for Classes 6 to 8 were reopened on February 10 while primary classes up to V were reopened from Monday.

The state education department made all the arrangements to reopen primary schools under strict Covid-19 protocol of wearing masks, maintaining social distancing and sanitised classrooms.

Some schools in Lucknow welcomed tinytots by putting ‘tilak’ on their foreheads, others showered rose petals, made rangolis and decorated classrooms with colorful balloons to welcome students after a year.

Children were only allowed inside schools after sanitising hands, wearing masks and thermal scanning. Some schools distributed kits containing masks, small sanitiser bottles with instructions to follow guidelines. Only 50% attendance and twice a week classes were allowed in every primary school.

Days for classes were fixed on odd and even basis. Classes I and V on Mondays and Thursdays, Classes 2 and IV on Tuesdays and Fridays and Class 3 on Wednesdays and Saturdays. UP CM Yogi Adityanath himself visited a school in Lucknow to check the arrangements and spend some time with children.