Kolkata: Schools for primary and lower secondary students in West Bengal reopened on Wednesday after the Covid-19 pandemic forced educational institutions to close for almost two years in March 2020. High and high schools reopen when Covid numbers drop but elementary and high schools – the main part is always closed.

“Schools were properly sanitized on Tuesday. Students and teachers must wear masks at all times. Appropriate measures will be taken to maintain all Covid-19 protocols and raise awareness of the disease,” an education department official said.

The school plans to show films and cartoons for the first few days to help students adjust to the environment. “Half-hour cartoons and children’s films will be shown daily for the children for the next few days. Lessons will also be held concurrently. Education will be through games for the comfort of the students,” said Debabrata Mukherjee, Principal of Sanskrit College, Kolkata.

At Shastriji Harijan Vidyamandir, students were given roses and chocolates on their first day of arrival. Some schools rotate classes to maintain Covid-19 protocols.

The state government reopened primary and secondary schools as daily Covid-19 cases fell to about 350 from 24,000 in the second week of January.

Another official said school-going children were particularly affected by the closure of educational institutions. “As Covid-19 cases decrease, the Chief Minister [Mamata Banerjee] asked the state government to explore whether schools [primary and primary divisions] can be reopened.”

Schools for students in classes 8 to 12 reopened on February 3. On February 7, the state government also opened open-air “neighborhood classes” for elementary and upper-level students.

Complete News Source : Hindustan Times