Kolkata: In the midst of the excitement between students and teachers and the incessant between the parts of the parents, the schools in West Bengal reopened on Tuesday for grade 9-12 students after closing the door for a physical class for almost 20 months due to covid pandemic restrictions 19.
Classes for junior and medium school students will continue in online mode for now, even when Minister of Education Minister Bratya Basu said that efforts to gradually bring all the students back to the classroom.
Students queue at the school gate in West Bengal since morning according to the schedule announced by the state government to hold classes in different times for secondary and medium parts.
This segregation was carried out to minimize mingling to prevent the spread of Covid-19.
Teachers and staff welcome boys and women with hand sanitiser and thermal weapons to check their temperatures and advise them to wear masks at any time of school.
Basu said that no students were forced to attend the physical class and it was up to them and their parents to receive this call.
Some parents, although happy over the reopening of schools for physical classes, declaring fear whether their ward will comply with the guidelines for Covid safety because students will meet each other and sit in the classroom together after a very long time.
Educational institutions were closed for physical classes in March, 2020 after the central government announced covid-induced locking worldwide.
Although locking is then appointed, schools and colleges continue to remain closed in the country because of the pandemic situation.
Universities and universities also open their gate to students on Tuesday, although some of the authorities of these institutions say that different days will be scheduled for various faculties to reduce crowding and mingle on campuses.
“I am happy to return to school after a long time, interacting online will never be as good as talking to friends and teachers directly,” said Sohini Mukherjee, a private school student in South Kolkata.
As a government school teacher in North Kolkata said it, “it feels so good that children will return between us in school; in institutions like us, online will never be the same alternative to face-to-face interactions between students and teachers.” Students have been asked not to share their Tiffin and adhere to social distance norms.
“Even though I have asked my son to obey the norms, I really don’t know how far they will truly defend it, given that they will meet after a long time,” said Parha Biswas, the parents of grade 9 students.