Patna: Schools to say ‘no’ to gatherings

PATNA: Schools are not likely to be the same when they reopen after the lockdown ends. Most of them will not conduct morning assemblies, sports activities, cultural events, seminars and parent-teacher meets for several months in order to ensure social distancing norms. They are also planning to hold classes in shifts or on alternate days and make the use of masks mandatory for all during school hours.
With over 3,000 students, classes will be conducted three times a week in two shifts — morning and afternoon — at Krishna Niketan.Its vice-chairman Coomar Arunodaya told this newspaper on Thursday, “On other days, we will continue with online classes. There will be no sickroom and in case, a kid shows Covid-19 symptoms, he will be sent home straightaway.”
DAV Public School-Khagaul will make the use of masks mandatory for students, teachers as well as non-teaching staff after the lockdown ends. Principal R Roy said, “Classes will be held in rotation and separate lunch breaks announced to avoid social gatherings. There will also be no morning assembly, sports activities or cultural events.”
Carmel High School is waiting for the government’s guidelines that educational institutes have to follow after the lockdown ends. Principal Sr M Serena AC pointed out, “We have, however, decided to reduce the number of students in each classroom from 60 to 30 and create space between all desks. Besides, no activities, involving large gatherings, will be organized.”
Like Carmel, others are also waiting for the Centre’s decision on reopening of schools. They will prepare their schedules accordingly.
No summer break in many schools: Several schools have cancelled the summer break so that they can continue holding online classes.
Kendriya Vidyalaya-Danapur principal M S Ahmad said there would be no summer vacations this time.
“The school is likely to reopen on June 20, after which all the students, teachers and non-teaching staff will go through thermal screening. They will also have to cover their faces and wash hands regularly.”