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Schools reopen in Telangana amidst Covid-19 protocols

Sticking to special Covid-19 guidelines, school managements ensured that students followed physical distancing strictly, even when inside the classroom. A few schools also hosted parent-teacher meetings too.

By Telangana Today

Updated On - 2 September 2021, 12:19 AM

Schools reopen in Telangana amidst Covid-19 protocols — Photo: Anand Dharmana

Hyderabad: Schools in Telangana, especially government schools, resonated with the merry laughter of children after a long gap of almost 18 months on Wednesday. The sombre shadow of the Covid-19 pandemic, however, could be seen everywhere, as masks, physical distancing and sanitisers became the new norm in classrooms.

For most of the children in primary classes, except a few senior ones, it was back to school for the first time after March 2020, when schools in the State reopened in view of Covid-19 cases coming down. Adhering to strict Covid-19 protocols, schools sanitised the entire premises and made available sanitiser dispensers at every corner for teachers, staff and students.

To ensure that Covid guidelines were being maintained across all government schools, Education Minister P Sabitha Indra Reddy visited the Government High School at Vijay Nagar Colony, Masab Tank, where she interacted with students and teachers. The Minister later visited Government Girls High School in Maheshwaram as well and had midday meals along with the girl students.

G Govind, Administrative Officer at a Government school said they were instructed to be very careful regarding the situation, as there was the lingering fear of a possible third wave. “We thoroughly sanitised the entire school on Tuesday. On Wednesday, we checked the students’ temperature as they came and asked them to sanitise their hands in front of the teacher. No student or staff was allowed inside the premises without the mask. Students were made to remain in the class till school was over. We are also practicing physical distancing strictly,” he said.

Meanwhile, several schools decided to wait for a few days before reopening. Many are also looking for a phased reopening, where classes began on Wednesday for Classes 9 and 10 while other secondary classes might begin from Monday. Most private schools have not yet taken a call on physical mode for primary classes. While children were excited to return to school, many parents are waiting to see how the situation pans out before sending their wards to school.

Attendance percentage stands at 21.7 %

Hyderabad: On the first day of the reopening of educational institutions across the State, the overall attendance percentage of school students in both government and private schools in Telangana was 21.77 per cent. In government/model schools, the attendance per cent was 27.45 per cent while in private-aided and unaided schools across the State, the percentage was 18.35 per cent. Overall, the attendance percentage of school children was 21.77 per cent. In government junior colleges, the attendance of first year intermediate students was 17 percent while the attendance percentage among second year intermediate was 15 percent.