LUCKNOW: Less than 9% students attended classes across UP on the first day of reopening schools after seven months on Monday. According to officials, only 34% of students between class IX to XII got parental consent to attend schools. Of them, less than 25% attended the school on Monday.
Out of nearly 1 crore students (between class IX and XII) enrolled in 28,474 secondary schools in UP, parents of 34.7 lakh students gave consent and less than 25% (around 8.5 lakh) turned up .
The secondary education department data shows 90% schools -- 25,533 out of 28,474 -- undertook sanitation drive. As many as 25,977 schools maintained social distancing.
The analysis done by government also shows clean drinking water was available in 99% schools while 98% had proper and separate toilets for girls and boys.
Most schools that reopened had made adequate provision for masks and thermal scanners, too, a government official said. While 87% schools had sufficient masks available for the students, 97% had put up dustbins to dispose of the masks. Another 86% had thermal scanners and sanitisers readily available. Proper hand washing facility was provided by 97% schools.
The analysis was based on the feedback given by departmental officials who were deputed by the additional chief secretary (secondary education) Aradhana Shukla to 75 districts for proper monitoring of the SOPs issued by the state government for reopening of schools.
Special secretary, secondary education, UB Tripathi, who visited schools, both convent, private and government, in rural and urban Raebareily said, “Though children were happy to be back, the atmosphere of fear existed. Many parents who have given their consent, didn’t send their kids. The attendance was more in rural schools. Schools took all precautions to keep children safe.”
Citing his experience, another officer said, “In elite schools, the presence of students was miniscule as parents decided not to send their kids. On the contrary, government schools, even in interiors, reported a good number of students who were high on enthusiasm with a sense of fear. Teachers, too, had a smile on their faces after seeing kids back.”
Shukla who inspected three schools in Lucknow, issued directives to the management to ensure proper well-being of the students along with safeguarding their future.
As per the government directives, senior students of class IX to XII were allowed to come to the schools with parental consent. Morning assembly, lunch breaks, chatting with friends during library hours, and any sports activities were to be kept away in the schools.