UP schools record low attendance as offline classes resume after a 6-month gap

Keeping in mind the COVID-19 protocols, primary schools in Uttar Pradesh reopened on Wednesday, after a gap of about six months. The children will be taught in two shifts of 3 hours each, starting from 8 AM to 11 AM and 11:30 AM to 2:30 PM.

Before entering the school premises, proper thermal scans of the children, teachers and staff, will be conducted. Wearing a mask is compulsory for everyone and regular sanitization has to be maintained in all schools. Moreover, in government-run schools, children have been requested to carry their own utensils and water bottles.

Classes for all commenced on September 1

[rebelmouse-proxy-image https://media.rbl.ms/image?u=%2Fen%2Fresize%2Fnewbucket%2F715_-%2F2021%2F03%2Fschool-students-1616344323.jpg&ho=https%3A%2F%2Fresize.indiatvnews.com&s=519&h=3e3b9bbec4cbec8efd0c70635b86efa64f8a5d6f26bb093891f46b6d613ba050&size=980x&c=2180409862 photo_credit="" pin_description="" dam="0" site_id=20074994 caption="" photo_credit_src="https://resize.indiatvnews.com/en/resize/newbucket/715_-/2021/03/school-students-1616344323.jpg" crop_info="%7B%22image%22%3A%20%22https%3A//media.rbl.ms/image%3Fu%3D%252Fen%252Fresize%252Fnewbucket%252F715_-%252F2021%252F03%252Fschool-students-1616344323.jpg%26ho%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fresize.indiatvnews.com%26s%3D519%26h%3D3e3b9bbec4cbec8efd0c70635b86efa64f8a5d6f26bb093891f46b6d613ba050%26size%3D980x%26c%3D2180409862%22%7D" expand=1]

Previously in March '21, schools were reopened for some days but due to the sudden surge in COVID cases, they were closed again. The UP government has already opened schools for classes 9 to 12 from August 16 and for classes 6 to 8 from August 23. Following the COVID-19 guidelines, classes in madrasas also began on September 1. The schools welcomed children with chocolates, toffees and flowers, though the attendance was relatively thin.

Parents are sceptical to send their wards to school

Regardless of the government's decision, parents are still sceptical to send their wards to school and are rooting for online classes in the safe space of their houses. Some folks also believe that it is rather difficult to keep a watch on children while they are playing in close proximity to each other and they might rip off their masks as soon as teachers go out of sight. In the light of the possible third wave of the pandemic and the increasing scare of the mysterious fever which is claiming lives, many parents are deciding against sending their kids to school.

-with inputs from IANS.