Regular classes back in Andhra as govt allows schools reopen

Amid the novel coronavirus pandemic, schools in Andhra Pradesh reopened on Monday as students of class 9th and 10th were seen standing in queues when their temperature was recorded and face masks and sanitisers were provided to them. While the classes for 6 to 8 will begin from November 23, the primary sections will start functioning from December 14.

Amaravati:Since the coronavirus pandemic has wreaked havoc across the globe, parents are bewildered totally about sending their children to school despite the decline in ongoing cases.

With the easing of restrictions in ‘Unlock 5’, the Andhra Pradesh government has allowed reopening of schools for class 9 and class 10 students on a voluntary basis.

In order to control the disease outbreak among students, teachers and other staff members, the government has issued guidelines-including generic preventive measures, protocols for reopening schools.

The educational institutions were closed due to Covid-19 lockdown and could not be reopened again till now as the virus spread is so rampant.

According to reports, almost all the government schools and many private schools in the state reopened for classes after a long break. The government schools have opened in the state for Class 9 and 10 students where many teachers had already started making arrangements from Sunday itself.

As far as the schools are concerned, only classes 9 and 10 students were asked to come to attend the classes now while the classes for 6 to 8 will begin from November 23. Finally, the primary sections will start functioning from December 14.

During the first four phases of unlock also the central government did not allow educational institutions to open.

"As soon as the government decided to reopen schools, we have started making arrangements. We held meetings with parents on Sunday," said a headmaster from a government school in Kurnool district.

He said clear instructions were given to teachers and parents, making it mandatory for every student to wear a mask before entering the school.

A teacher in Anantapur district said the school ground was cleaned on Sunday, along with sanitizing all the classrooms.

"Government has given us Covid kits, we have thermal screened school children and provided hand sanitizer and masks. We gave three masks to each student for three days, so that they will wash and use them again," she said.

As mandated by the government, only 16 students are being allowed to sit in a classroom.

Some government schools are also making the students take a Covid pledge every day before starting classes, promising to follow all the guidelines.

Similarly, some schools in Anantapur have directed mid-day meal workers to wear gloves as they cook the food, including telling them not to wear rings or nail polish. They have also been told to maintain physical distance while serving food to children.

However, in the wake of virus spreading, many private schools have continued their online classes on Monday.

However, a student from a private school said that it is better to attend regular classes than online classes to properly understand the subjects.

As the schools have reopened after five long months, a government teacher from Anantapur district expressed happiness to see the students back in classrooms.

"We gave textbooks, notebooks, school bags, masks, hand sanitizer, and uniform dresses to the children, they have become very happy after seeing the kits," she said.

Government high school in Krishna district's Kaikaluru town witnessed a good turnout of students who occupied the brand new benches arranged by the government as part of Nadu-Nedu scheme, maintaining physical distance.

The 2020-21 academic year has been extended till April 30 to ensure 180 working days.

For students of Classes 6 to 8, schools will reopen from November 23. For Classes 1 to 6, physical presence in classrooms will resume from December 14.

There are around 60,000 schools, including aided, unaided and private ones, in the southern state.

Earlier, Education Minister Adimulapu Suresh said the state government has created an app to monitor that all schools are adhering to the Coronavirus Standard Operating Procedures (SoPs).

(With inputs from IANS)