Teachers welcome students back to schools with sweets

Teachers welcome students back to schools with sweets

Elaborate Covid Protocols On The Campuses

Ragu.Raman@timesgroup.com

Chennai:02.09.2021

P Hari Priya from Nungambakkam was so eager to return to school that she came 15 minutes early. Seeing her friends after a long gap, she said they looked different – some had grown their hair, others had lost weight. They pulled each other’s leg, but didn't hug or shake hands. At the end of the first day, she could not catch up with her friends, as her class was split into two, and had little time to speak to them.

City schools registered 85% to 100% attendance as schools reopened on Wednesday after 5 months. Colleges recorded 60% to 70% attendance and expect numbers to rise. Schools and colleges made elaborate arrangements to follow social distancing on campus. Students were not allowed to mingle and only 20 students were allowed in a classroom. Shivani K P from Adyar said even the classroom and school environment looked so different after prolonged online classes. “Even our teachers were so happy to see us and conduct classes. I find I relate to topics better in offline classes compared to online classes,” she said.

Some teachers welcomed loons and banners. “After seeing empty grounds and classrooms for the last few months, we were so happy to have students on campus. All classrooms were decorated with welcome banners and balloons,” said R S Shanthi, a phys-Most of the schools conducted orientation and counselling on Wednesday.

Schools such as Bala Vidyamandir Senior Secondary School in Adyar have decided to record the physical classes for those who opt for online classes. "It will help both students who opt for online classes and students who attend physical classes. Students can view the recorded videos again if they have any doubts," said principal R Srinivasa Raghavan. The school recorded 90% attendance among Class X, XI and XII students on Wednesday.

Vidyodaya Girls Higher Secondary School in T Nagar recorded nearly 100% attendance among Class XII students. "Except for one student who is in post-Covid care, all 121 attended physical classes," said headmistress V Shanthi. The schools will conduct classes in hybrid mode for other classes. "We have called 50% of students from Class IX and X for physical classes on alternate days. The remaining students can view live the classes from their houses," she added.

Some principals who spoke on condition of anonymity said conducting physical and online classes simultaneously will be tough.

Many city colleges started classes on campus only with final year science students. Colleges such as Loyola and College of Engineering, Guindy, have organised vaccination camps on campus.

"Of 6000 students who are eligible for Covid-19 vaccine in our college, 23% are yet to get the jab. Greater Chennai Corporation will vaccinate them on Monday and Tuesday," said S Santhosh Baboo, principal of DG Vaishnav College.