LP schools from Class I to V reopen in Assam; attendance thin

GUWAHATI: The lower primary (LP) schools from Class I to V reopened in the State on Friday nearly after ten months.

Even though the students' attendance in LP schools in rural areas is nearly 50 per cent, the turnout of students in the city schools was very low. In many of the LP schools in Guwahati the students' attendance did not touch the double digit.

"Being the first day of the new year many children must have gone for picnic and other places. Only eight students have come to my school. We are expecting better attendance from Monday," the Head Master of a city school said.

Another Head Master said some parents are reluctant to send children of Class I to V. "Unlike senior students the children of lower primary schools do not know as how to take care of themselves. It will take some time for parents to send their children to schools," he said.

Despite low attendance of students the teachers were present at city schools from 9 am to 1.45 pm on Friday. The teachers were seen wearing masks and using hand sanitizers while attending classes.

A comprehensive set of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) has already been issued by the Assam government for functioning of the schools.

According to the SOP, lower primary schools will open for classes on alternate days for all classes from I to V. The SOP further mandates the issued guidelines for government and private institutions equally. It states that schools will open at 9 AM and end at 1.45 PM. Mid-day meals in government schools is also mentioned to be provided between 12.15 to 12.45 PM.

All school premises will be sanitised once every week. Classes of IV and V will be held on every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday and classes of I, II, and III will be held on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.

It is further mentioned in the SOP that the academic year for schools and colleges has been extended until 31st March, 2021 to recover the loss in academic days and also to bring state's educational session at par with the all-India level.

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