After 10 days, attendance still low at government schools

Karam Prakash

Tribune News Service

Patiala, October 28

Government schools in the district continue to witness thin attendance even after 10 days of reopening.

Worried over the safety of children, parents are reluctant to give their consent for physical classes. Teachers and officials of the Education Department said parents were apprehensive about the safety of their kids despite assurances by the administration regarding adherence to the Covid guidelines at schools.

Attendance in most of the government schools was reported below 30 per cent. “In rural areas, attendance was as low as 20 per cent in some schools,” said an official of the Education Department.

“Since attending the school was not made mandatory, attendance is poor. Moreover, many students are enjoying online classes amid Covid,” opined the principal of a school.

Harinder Kaur, District Education Officer, Patiala, said the Covid scare was still prevalent. “The attendance of the students is better in urban areas as compared to the rural,” she said.

Kaur reiterated that they had been following all guidelines — social distancing, face masks and sanitisation at the schools.

Meanwhile, teachers of government schools in rural areas said children, who did not come to school, were busy helping their families in the ongoing paddy harvesting.

A teacher said: “In rural areas, children are helping their family in farming and other activities. Once the season of harvesting is over, students will definitely come to attend schools.”