For children the extended pandemic-induced holiday ended on a positive note as they again entered the familiar arena of schools that reopened in city for Classes I to VII from Thursday.
After the hiatus of one-and-a-half years, primary and middle schools resumed offline classes, this time under the shadow of lurking Omicron, the new variant of COVID-19.
While the danger still persists, in a calculated gamble administration of Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) permitted physical classes since present level of infection of COVID-19 is quite low.
The chilly weather notwithstanding tiny tots made it a point to report on first day of reopening of the schools that they were looking forward to since long.
With much of the session already held on-line, for children it was a day out and they felt energised after attending the physical classes.
At every other school, elaborate safety arrangements were in place. As children arrived, they were showered with petals giving them a feeling of being special.
The school corridors once again wore a busy look as children were back in action, although watchful eyes of teachers and staff ensured that they followed the protocol in toto.
Yet the smell in the air was breathtakingly fresh as schools resumed the physical teaching mode. For teachers also the classroom teaching provided much-needed grasp on students to ensure they not lag behind.
With on-line learning several issues were cropping-up, mainly that of assessment that is most important tool to measure a student’s academic performance.
So the resumption of physical classes would ensure that teachers focus on students who might be weak in studies. Also since schools are the formation of the future growth, the element of discipline and time management would also get inculcated among the students, it is felt.
Thermal screening of students was conducted in all the schools :
NMC’s Education Committee Chairperson Prof. Dilip Dive, Sports Committee Chairperson Pramod Tabhane and Education Officer Preeti Mishrikotkar welcomed the students at Vivekanand Nagar Hindi Upper Primary and Secondary School.
During the interaction, Dive welcomed back the students and advised them to take all precautions. Mishrikotar said the decision to go ahead with physical classes was done since in person learning has more advantages.
Also for civic school students there was difficulties with on-line education as each one does not have access to digital instruments to attend classes.
Thermal screening of students was conducted in all the schools including instruction to keep wearing the masks.
Students were informed about hand washing, use of sanitizer and safety vis-a-vis Covid-19. Children line up on first day at NMC-run Vivekanand Primary School.