Govind Sharma
JAMMU, Feb 1: After over 10 months of their closure due to COVID-19 pandemic, schools, colleges and skill education institutions reopened in Summer Zone of Jammu Province today but the attendance of the students was very thin in almost all the institutions.
First visuals from various schools in Jammu showed parents dropping off their wards at the schools. Students wearing masks were also seen heading towards their colleges. There was excitement and curiosity among the students, particularly among students of 1st semester of the degree colleges, who were attending the college for first time after passing out their Class 12 exams. Click here to watch video
However, attendance of the students was very thin as almost all the syllabus of the school as well as college students have already been covered through online classes and exams have either been announced or are likely to be announced soon.
In the fresh guidelines of the Government which came into force from today, universities & colleges and educational institutions of Sumer Zone of Jammu Province have been allowed to reopen for students of classes 9th to 12th while elementary classes will be allowed to reopen from February 8 with mandatory social distancing measures and other SOPs.
“After passing out Class 12th exams, I was eager to attend the college but due to breakout of Corona pandemic, could not taste the college life for around 10 months as all the educational institutions were closed by the Government. My happiness knows no bounds today as I am going to physically attend my first class in the College today,” said Vinay Sharma, a 1st semester student of GGM Science College.
Another student, Payal Gupta of 3rd semester of Government PG College for Women, Parade (Jammu), said that she is going to attend the college for getting clearing some doubts as their syllabus have been completed and exams are likely to be started from mid February.
Umesh Sharma, a parent while dropping his 11th standard son at a school in Jammu city said that there was no logic to reopen the schools at this juncture when syllabus has already been completed and exams are about to begin soon. He said as the risk of COVID-19 has not ended, the Government should not allow the schools to reopen before next academic session.
Speaking to Excelsior on the conditions of anonymity, Principal of a Government College in Jammu City said that students are reluctant to join physical classes, which is also evident from the thin attendance which was as low as 20% on very first day today. He said syllabus of students has been almost covered through online classes and those having doubts were already attending physical classes.
He said face masks and social distancing measures were taken care off in the class rooms today but if the physical presence of the students increases in future it will be difficult to follow. However, he said not many students are going to attend the physical classes. “We are also not forcing the students to attend physical classes. They are being called only for practicals or getting cleared their doubts if any,” he added.
Meanwhile, Administrative Secretary, School Education Department, B K Singh, accompanied by Director School Education, Jammu, Anurdha Gupta and Chief Education Officer Jammu, Vijay Sharma visited various schools in Jammu city including Boys Higher Secondary School Gandhi Nagar, GHSS Bakshi Nagar, GHSS Bazar Kasaba, GHSS Julaka Mohalla, GHSS Mubarak Mandi and inspected the arrangements in place there.
Speaking to the media at GHSS Bakshi Nagar, B K Singh said that the decision of reopening of schools has been made after taking various factors into account and due deliberation. He said that all the SOPs and guidelines are being followed and every care has been taken to ensure safety and security of students and staff members.
Director School Education Jammu interacted with the students and staff members and had feedback from the stakeholders. “Every crisis comes with an opportunity. While we missed many things, a lot can be achieved this year that was lost to Covid,” she said.
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