” We need 2-3 more class as now just one child can be made to rest on one bench. We also have intermediate school running in our school. Till then, we are now planning to hold classes on various timings to preserve social distancing,” he said.

” I like coming to school because on phone, teachers voice would break typically and it was difficult to comprehend things,” said Sahibjot.

On Monday, children went to physical classes of their brand-new session (2021-22) for the first time.

Educators in other districts such as Moga, Ludhiana, Muktsar and others said that on day one, while some schools had even 60-65 per cent attendance, others had less than 50 percent presence.

At federal government primary school, Kansal in Kharar, the vibrant corridors of the Smart School came alive with chirping of students again Monday.

Monday saw schools throughout Punjab open amid falling Covid cases.

Handling these challenges consisted of trainees resting on the ground to preserve social distancing due to absence of space and teachers scolding main and pre-primary kids to keep their masks on.

Even as Punjab government has patted its back for frustrating new registrations in this session in its government schools (more than a lakh new students admitted), instructors stated that there was no space to accommodate them due to shortage of class, more so in Covid times, when they need to make sure social distancing.

” But since orders came the other day only, some trainees were not conscious that schools have actually opened today. Parents of children who had no or restricted access of smartphones are relieved,” said an instructor from Ludhiana.

” Come kids, come to me, I will teach you ABC …,” 7-year old Sahibjot Singh, who recently moved to federal government school from a personal school, recited in excitement after his instructor.

Trainees sit on the ground to primary social distancing norms at the Government Primary School in Nayagaon. Now, we are planning to hold classes in shifts to guarantee social distancing,” stated Karamjit Singh, head instructor of the school.

Harinder Singh, district education officer (secondary), stated that attendance was close to 52 per cent on day one which was great and they were hoping to have more children in schools in coming days. He said that moms and dads were cautious in metropolitan areas and reluctant to send their kids to schools.

Punjab had opened schools in phased manner for all classes previously too, however they were once again closed in March this year as 2nd Covid wave peaked.

( With inputs from Anju Agnihotri Chaba).

” We are already brief of at least 6 class. Today 202 of our 442 students participated in classes. Now, we are preparing to hold classes in shifts to make sure social distancing,” stated Karamjit Singh, head instructor of the school.

” We have more than a lakh instructors, practically 1.12 lakh of which 75,000 have got at least one vaccine dose according to the information went into on the portal by instructors themselves,” stated a source.

” While in pre-Covid times, one classroom meant seating 40 students, now one space can accommodate 20 just. We have actually admitted 75 new trainees this session so we require at least two brand-new spaces.

Stuffed in a single class amid low attendance, students from 2 Class IV sections of government main school in Mohalis Nayagaon huddled together with their masks falling off their faces in damp, sweaty conditions.

However the fresh effort to get in-person schooling off the ground again brought forth obstacle of sticking to Covid-appropriate behaviour.

As the school welcomed its trainees back in between rising and dropping pandemic waves, the Covid standard of one child per bench seemed all but forgotten. Outside the Class IV space, a few students from Class III rested on the benches in the passage, while in the personnel room, teachers sat together without their masks.

These scenes shifted rapidly as existence of an outsider in the campus was seen. As this press reporter walked around the school, instructors attempted to move trainees sitting near each other by making some of them sit on the floor.

” We are asking them to examine Covid procedure implementation in schools prior to sending their children,” he said.

Students sit on the ground to primary social distancing standards at the Government Primary School in Nayagaon. The school has a lack of a minimum of 6 classrooms. (Express image: Divya Goyal).

As per the guidelines of Punjab government, just the totally immunized teachers and non-teaching staff (who have got both dosages) ought to go to schools physically. Harinder Singh, district education officer (secondary), said that participation was close to 52 per cent on day one which was good and they were hoping to have more kids in schools in coming days. He stated that moms and dads were cautious in urban areas and unwilling to send their children to schools.

The schools head instructor, N D Tiwari, stated that 153 trainees of 343 went to school on day one and now they are planning to hold classes in shifts as so many kids can not be accommodated in already existing class.

As per the guidelines of Punjab government, just the totally vaccinated teachers and non-teaching personnel (who have got both doses) must attend schools physically. However, numerous teachers are yet to get their 2nd dosage. While the education department is in the procedure of compiling its data of totally vaccinated teachers, sources from the department stated that at least 75,000 teachers of nearly one lakh have actually got at least one dose.

Class 3 trainees sit outside in a passage at GPS Nayagaon due to shortage of class. (Express photo: Divya Goyal).