CHENNAI: About 20 lakh Class X and XII students will walk into a completely different academic environment on January 19. Just 25 to a class, staggered breaks, temperature checks, a ban on sharing food, half-empty school vans and no canteens are among the new rules students will have to quickly get used to as they switch from online to offline learning. Schools are also chalking out fresh timetables to prepare students for board exams while keeping them safe amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
CM Edappadi K Palaniswami on Tuesday said schools across the state can reopen on January 19. “When reopened, schools should not accommodate more than 25 students per classroom and must follow standard operating procedures,” he said in a statement. Tamil Nadu Medical Services Corporation (TNMSC) will also provide 4 crore doses of multivitamins and zinc tablets to help boost students’ immunity. “We will dispatch 2 crore doses in the next few weeks,” said TNMSC managing director P Umanath.
MCC Higher Secondary School in Chetpet has split classes into two with revised timetables. “A regular subject teacher will teach in one class and a lower class teacher will assist them in monitoring academic work in another class,” said principal G J Manohar. The school is planning to rope in professional counselors for students who may need the extra help. Students will also have staggered lunch breaks to help maintain social distancing.
Jaigopal Garodia Government Girls Higher Secondary School in Virugambakkam has nearly 1,000 students in Class X and XII. “We have 391 students in Class X and 605 students in Class XII. We divided each class into two groups and will allot separate classrooms,” said headmistress P Shanthi. Teachers will monitor students to ensure staggered entry and exit times are followed and break up any gatherings on campus.
Meanwhile, CBSE schools are planning to resume classes in a gradual manner to ease students into schools. “Our school plans to conduct orientation for teachers, parents and students on Covid-19 protocols. We would like to start gradually with only one session in the beginning,” said P G Subramanian, principal of Bhavan’s Rajaji Vidhyashram in Kilpauk. The school also plans to ask teachers to come in next week so they can get used to the new routine.
“We will prioritize practical training and model exams. Though schools reopen, we will continue online classes for students who prefer not to come to school,” said Asha Nathan, principal of Chennai Public School in Anna Nagar. Here too, there will be only one session a day. “We don’t want children to have lunch in school and Class X and XII students will be called in different timings,” Nathan said.
Buses of Zion Matriculation Higher Secondary School will run with 50% occupancy. “We are planning staggered breaks for each class to avoid crowding. Students will be asked to bring their own food and water, said senior principal N Vijayan.
“Students will have difficulties in adjusting from online learning to board based learning,” said clinical neuropsychologist B S Virudhagirinathan. “Schools and teachers must not pressure students. Teachers need to allay the children’s fears, anxiety and clear their doubts.”