COVID-19: Bengal Schools Unsure About Resuming Physical Classes

October 12, 2020: The Union Ministry of Education has announced the gradual opening of educational institutes across the country. Bengal Schools are now waiting for the state government green signal for reopening schools. 

Despite the announcement, West Bengal state-run schools are still unsure about the resumption of physical classes in the states.

Partha Chatterjee, the Bengal Education Minister stated that the schools can not reopen until the pandemic situation improves in the state.

The safety of students is the first priority of the government. 

Read: Unlock 5.0: States to Decide on Reopening of Schools after October 15

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee stated that the authority will have a discussion about the resumption of physical classes in educational institutes and schools after Kali Puja on November 15, 2020.

Depending on the coronavirus situation, the decision will be taken.

According to Mahua Das, the president of the West Bengal Council of Higher Secondary Education stated that the decision for reopening of schools will be taken by the authority and the School Education Department will instruct the same to te institutions. 

President of Higher Secondary Education West Bengal Council said," We are yet to receive any communication from the department so no preparations have been taken by the council".

Read: No Plans to Reopen Schools Anytime Soon during the COVID-19 pandemic confirms Karnataka Education Minister

The West Bengal Board of Secondary Education Senior Official stated that no Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) or guidelines have been issued by the School Education Department regarding the resumption of schools in the state. 

He added," The situation is still fluid. We need to first come out of the present uncertainty triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic. We will wait for the decision of the chief minister and the education minister on reopening of schools".

Subhrojit Duta, the principal of Hindu School said," None of us know when the situation will normalize. Schools with large buildings like ours can enforce the COVID-19 guidelines for educational institutes are allowed to reopen after a month or so but what about the hundreds of smaller schools? I think it will be very challenging for those institutes”.

Read: Puducherry Schools to Reopen for Classes 9-12 from October 5; Guidelines Here

He further stated that more than a hundred students from class 12th have visited the schools in the last two days to fill up the board examination form. 

Students were seated in different classrooms and social distancing was followed. The classrooms are also regularly sanitized by the school staff.

Expressing his concerns, he informed that the precautions were taken for only two days as the students came in groups to fill the examination form. 

The school authority has to take the same precautions and follow the same guidelines while reopening the schools for physical classes. 

Read: Education during COVID-19: Education Minister Releases 8-week Alternative Academic Calendar for Classes 9 to 12

According to Jadavpur Vidyapith Headmaster Parimal Bhattacharya’s statement, the conduction of online classes for class 10th and 12th is not enough. 

Parents and students are concerned about their safety and the reopening of physical classes in the schools.

Abir Bhattacharya, a student of class 10th from BT Road Government Sponsored High School said, "I have no idea when I can go back to classes. The online lessons are not a long term alternative”.

He continued,” Videos of the lecture cannot always be downloaded on a smartphone but my parents fear I might get infected with Covid-19 if I attend physical classes".

Read: COVID-19 Lockdown: Parents Concerned Over School Reopening Plans, Sign 2 Lakh Petitions

Debopriyo Ghosh, the father of a class 12th student from Sayantani Ghosh of Sodepur's Sushilkrishno Girls Schools stated that he is not sure whether the school’s curriculum will be completed or the schools will reopen.

He further expressed his concerns regarding his daughter’s academic schedule. The Union Minister SOPs guidelines for partially opening of schools in the states have been distributed among schools. 

According to the guidelines published by the Union Minister, schools can be open for doubt solving sessions from October 15, 2020, in states. The final decision for reopening of schools has to be taken by the respective state government. 

Standard Operating Procedure (SOPs) has been formulated in local text and requirements for the stats.