With a decline in the second wave of the novel coronavirus (Covid-19), all the primary and middle schools in the twin cities reopened on Monday with 50 per cent attendance in the second phase.
The federal and provincial governments had closed down educational institutions after an extended winter holiday had started on November 26.
The hustle and bustle in the schools, which had dampened over the past year, has revived and the academic process has gained pace as well.
On the first day, the attendance of students in all schools was 60 to 70 per cent while in all of the government and private schools, the attendance of teachers, non-teaching staff and grade IV employees was almost 100 per cent, representatives of teacher union said.
Screening students for Covid a herculean task
In order to avoid crowding and ensure social distancing, classes will have only 50 per cent strength. In each classroom, students who came to school on Monday will stay home on Tuesday and the other 50 will go to school on Tuesday. As part of Covid-19 SOPs, schools have shut down canteens and stopped the morning assemblies. Moreover, children have been asked to bring soap, towel and hand sanitisers from homes.
Teachers and staff was present at the main gates of the schools to check the temperature of the students with thermo-guns and any child found coughing or sneezing was sent back immediately.
Dropout rate soars
A substantial number of children have dropped out of schools during the Covid year, said Shafiq Bhalwalia. “People of low-income groups have pushed children into labour to subsist family income,” he said. Particularly in government schools, where students get free education, textbooks, uniform, bags even shoes besides sports activities, the lockdown has caused massive increase in dropout rates, he added.
Basharat Iqbal Raja said many students are now trapped in child labour. They have lost their chance to get even a middle or secondary school certificate, he said urging the government to keep the schools open because not all people can afford smart phones and internet for online classes.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 2nd, 2021.
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