COIMBATORE: Only 51% of the Class IX and XI students in the district attended the schools that reopened for them on Monday.
An official with the school education department said that of the 85,970 students in classes IX and XI in 632 high and higher secondary schools in the district, only 44,463 attended classes on the first day. Some private schools functioned only for half day.
“Some government schools that have sufficient manpower and infrastructure are conducting classes for IX, X, XI and XII students six days a week by accommodating 25 students in a classroom. Other schools are conducting classes on alternate days,” the official said.
The students were allowed inside schools after temperature was checked and they used hand sanitizers and face masks. Teachers were deployed to monitor that all Covid-19 guidelines were followed.
Only those Class IX and XI students, who submitted consent letters from their parents, were allowed to attend classes, said headmistress of CCMA Government Girls Higher Secondary School R Moniarasi. “Teachers will counsel students about the precautionary measures to be taken. We have deployed teachers to ensure that the students follow the Covid-19 norms.”
The government higher secondary school at Ashokapuram has six sections, each with more than 50 students, said a teacher. “As it is difficult to accommodate everyone, we have split each section into two based on gender. They will visit the school on alternate days. Boys will attend classes on Monday and girls will visit on Tuesday.”
Officials had directed teachers not to compel students to visit schools. “So, we are taking online classes separately for those whose are not attending class,” a teacher said.
A Kousalya, a Class XI student, said she prefers in-school teaching. “I could not concentrate in online classes due to disturbances in my home. I was waiting for schools to reopen,” she told TOI.