UP schools not ready to open for classes VI-VIII

PRAYAGRAJ: Principals of several schools affiliated to UP Board have refused to open the institutions for class VI to class VIII students from December 15. The principals have sent a report in this regard to the district inspector of schools (DIOS) informing that already classes IX to XII are functioning. Still, the strength of students is reasonably low. At the same time, government-run primary and upper primary schools have not opened.

The principals said that since the count of positive corona cases has once again started to rise in the district, opening the schools for class VI to VIII students is not advisable. In such a situation, schools should not be opened from December 15 for them, reasoned the education department officials.

UP Board Secretary Divyakant Shukla had issued a letter to all DIOS on November 24 asking district-level officials to seek feedback regarding the opening of the schools from principals of the institutions. In the same sequence, all the schools were contacted by DS-Prayagraj.

Given the growing case of Covid-19 infections, the principals of most of the schools have submitted their reports to DIOS with the opinion that schools should not be opened further, officials added.

The DIOS has, in turn, submitted his report to the UP board Secretary who has sent the same to the state government. If officials are to be believed, it is very much unlikely that the schools for class VI to VIII students would open from December 15.

DIOS, Prayagraj, RN Vishwakarma said, “Following the guidelines of Unlock 5.0, schools for classes IX to XII have been opened, and teaching work is being done physically by the teachers concerned for students coming in staggered batches. Principals of schools were also contacted to get the feedback for opening the school for students from class VI to VIII. Still, around 70% of the principals are of the opinion that schools should not be opened from December 15 for these students. Information about this has been sent to the UP board Secretary.”

Meanwhile, on the same lines, there seems a remote possibility of the opening of Kendriya Vidyalayas for classes VI to VIII in the present Covid-19 pandemic.

“Presently we have opened the schools for students from class IX to XII, but few students are coming to school, and till date, KV Sangathan has not issued any guidelines in respect to opening schools for lower classes. Opening schools for classes VI to VIII is not feasible in the present crisis because they are not as mature as are students of higher classes”, said principal KV, Jhalwa, Vijeyesh Pandey.