NEW DELHI: Schools were abuzz with activities as students returned to campus on Monday. Deputy Chief Minister and Education Minister Shri Manish Sisodia visited the schools and took stock of the preparations and spoke to children and their parents. Schools were reopened for classes 9th to 12th in Delhi on Monday after considerable decline in COVID cases and positivity rate. Keeping safety of students in mind, schools are strictly following the COVID protocols and norms of social distancing. Children were very excited to meet their friends after a long time and parents seemed quite confident about sending their children back to school. Since morning the teachers were ready to welcome the students. Many activities are being organised at schools, so that students are able to move from online mode of learning to offline mode of learning without any problems. The Deputy CM said that due to COVID induced school closure, there has been a lot of damage to the education of children; we are concerned about the health of our children as well as their education. He added that If schools are not opened now, a whole generation will move forward with a knowledge gap; Of course, online classes helped us continue the education of our children during the pandemic, but online mode of learning can never be a replacement for offline mode of learning. He said that we are in alert mode. It will be ensured that all schools follow COVID protocols and social distancing norms strictly.
Chief Minister Shri Arvind Kejriwal tweeted, “Very happy to see the kids back in school; praying to god that we don’t have to shut schools again; children have suffered a lot.”
The Deputy Chief Minister said that I am happy that schools have been reopened now. Due to prolonged school closure, there has been damage to learning, but it is expected that after the reopening of the schools, our teachers and parents will work together to reduce the learning gap. He added that there has been a very good response on the first day, which shows that parents are confident about sending their children to school. For the convenience of students we have decided to continue the classes in a hybrid model for now.
Shri Sisodia said that the experience after schools were reopened last time was wonderful. The children and teachers in the schools were following all COVID protocols very well. I am sure that even now all COVID protocols will be followed well in schools. He said that from February 14, schools will also reopen for classes Nursery to 8. Meanwhile, in another week, schools will prepare for the opening of schools for junior classes as well.
The Deputy Chief Minister said that almost all the teachers of Delhi Government have been jabbed and more than 95% of the children of Delhi Government schools in the age group of 15 to 18 years have also been vaccinated. He also said that during COVID induced school closure, ‘Happiness Curriculum’ did the work of vaccines to de-stress and keep children happy. Children kept themselves and their family members free from stress through mindfulness.
