Schools reopen in Kerala, Karnataka, Assam amid strict Covid regulations

Bengaluru/Guwahati: The chatter was back on campuses as schools in Kerala, Karnataka and Assam reopened after several months with strict COVID-19 regulations such as wearing masks, thermal screening, washing hands and mandatory social distancing.

Though many students attended school, with letters of consent from their parents, some chose to continue education online with their guardians anxious about the pandemic situation and the emergence of a new strain of the novel coronavirus.

In Karnataka and in Kerala, classroom studies for classes 10 and 12 resumed on the first day of the new year, while in Assam children studying in classes one to five attended schools.

Staggered classroom schedules were followed by schools in these states, with the Centre recommending only 50 per cent of students be allowed at a time in educational institutes. Attendance of students is also not mandatory and they can choose to continue classes online, the central government had recommended.

Universities and schools across the country were closed in mid-March, when the Centre announced a countrywide classroom shutdown as part of measures to contain the spread of the novel coronavirus.

Subsequently, a nationwide lockdown was imposed on March 25. The government started easing restrictions gradually from June 8 under 'Unlock' .

While regular classes began in Karnataka for class 10 and second-year pre-university (PU) Class 12 students, who will be taking board exams, students from grades six to nine came to campuses for the Vidyagama programme, which enables continued schooling.

Wearing masks, students with consent letters from their parents were seen entering classrooms after thermal checks and sanitising their hands at schools and PU colleges.

Inside the classes too, students were seen seated maintaining social distancing.

While there was opposition from certain sections about opening schools and PU colleges amidst prevailing pandemic situation, others including Karnataka Education Minister Suresh Kumar were of the opinion that opening of schools and colleges along with preventive measures were necessary for students, especially in rural areas, with online education mostly not available and cases of them being forced into labour.

Schools and PU colleges have remained closed in the state since March just ahead of the national lockdown was first enforced to combat COVID-19.

Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa said the school and colleges are restarting in the interest of educational progress of the students.

"In the interest of educational progress of the students, from today class 10 and 12 will start, also Vidyagama will restart for class 6 to 9 students. All the necessary arrangements have been made for the safety of the students. Compulsorily use masks, maintain social distancing, cleanliness and cooperate with the government," he said in a tweet.

Classrooms and premises of schools and colleges were sanitised ahead classes resuming on Friday.

Schools in Assam reopened for primary students after 10 months in a staggered way following strict COVID-19 protocols.

Classroom teaching started resumed for pupils studying in classes one to five, though their attendance is not compulsory and will depend on parental consent, officials said.

Students who were full of enthusiasm attended schools wearing masks and they used sanitiser before entering classrooms, they said.

Strict safety protocols have been put in place for reopening of schools, which includes regular sanitisation of classrooms.

Under a staggered class schedule, students of classes one, two and three will attend school on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays while those studying in classes four and five will go to their institutes on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, the officials said.

Classes for the elementary level will be held between 9.45 am and 1:45 pm with a half-an-hour lunch break from 12.15 pm, they said, adding that students below the age of five years cannot attend schools.

In Assam, staggered classes were being held from September for students from class six onwards in both government and private educational institutes and they started attending classes in a normal manner from Friday. The online mode of education will continue for students who do not want to attend physical classes and it is applicable to all private and coaching institutions as well, officials said.

Teaching and non-teaching staff will have to undergo COVID-19 test every 30 days and there will be no cultural or other functions in schools until further government orders, according to the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) issued by the Education Department.

Educational institutes in Assam were closed since March 29.

Hostels for students of classes 10 and 12 in residential schools, colleges and universities have started functioning from December 15 following directives from the state education department.

Schools in Kerala was remained closed since the coronavirus-induced lockdown in March.

A recent high-level meeting, chaired by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, had decided to reopen educational institutions, including schools and colleges, in adherence with COVID guidelines.