Tribune News Service
Shimla, September 27
About 48 per cent students of Classes X and XII attended schools in the state today. The state government had decided to open schools for Classes IX to XII. To ensure social distancing, it was decided that the students of Classes X and XII would attend schools on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays while the students of Classes IX and XI would come to schools on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays.
As many as 64,178 of the total 134,182 students (47.82 per cent) of Classes X and XII attended government schools. The highest attendance of 60.99 per cent was registered in Kullu, followed by 57.06 per cent in Kangra, 56.70 per cent in Hamirpur, 55.61 per cent in Sirmaur, 55.56 per cent in Bilaspur, 50 per cent in Una, 47.74 per cent in Lahaul and Spiti, 42.35 per cent in Chamba, 41.35 per cent in Kinnaur, 41 per cent in Solan, 38.16 per cent in Shimla and 36.46 per cent in Mandi.
Earlier when the schools were opened on August 2, the attendance was 43 per cent, which increased this time implying that the parents and the students were keen to attend schools, said sources in the Education Department.
"The emphasis has been on vaccinating teachers and non-teaching employees in schools to ensure the safety of students. While 98.75 per cent of the total 46,744 teachers have been administered the first dose of the vaccine, 34.13 per cent have received both doses till day," said Amarjeet Sharma, Director Higher Education. Around 98.45 per cent of 15,900 non-teaching employees had received the first dose and 36.63 per cent had got both doses, he added.
"I was fed up sitting at home. Reopening of schools is necessary to get back to the normal routine. Meeting friends, and interacting with teachers in person are better than online studies any day," said Aman, a Class X student.
The schools have prepared micro plans and all precautions, including proper sanitisation of classrooms, thermal scanning, staggering of students coming and leaving schools, alternative sitting arrangements and adherence to appropriate Covid behaviour, are being ensured. The students are asked not to share books and stationery and avoid physical contact with each other.
Courtesy: Tribune News Service