Covid-19: Campuses reopen in Kolkata after extra-long winter break – Times of India

Poulami.Roy
KOLKATA: As schools resume on-campus classes for classes VIII to XII from Thursday, most institutes will have hybrid classes and staggered timings like they did before the third-wave shutdown. The only change will be Class VIII students returning to schools for the first time in two years. Authorities at a majority of institutes pointed out Class VIII students, who were yet to turn 15 and so, still unvaccinated, were a concern and that they might be called in after classes IX to XII resumed classes.
Playing it safe, most schools plan to call Class VIII for a shorter duration but a few have already drawn up their exams schedule for the class. Lakshmipat Sighania Academy and Shri Shikshayatan will call VIII students to school from February 14 and South Point School from February 16.

South Point School authorities stated in a circular, “Pupils of Class VIII are gradually being reintroduced to this mode of teaching and therefore, we feel it is better if the orientation is done step-by-step. Therefore, online teaching will continue till February 15, 2022. We will have onsite classes from February 16, 2022 and continue teaching till February 19.” The classes have been divided into two sessions—the morning section will be held from 8am to 10am and afternoon from 11am to 1pm. Class VIII students will have their annual exams from February 26.

Lakshmipat Singhania Academy director Meena Kak said, “We will not call full strength regularly. We have formed a taskforce for handling classes. So every class, including VIII, will attend offline classes twice a week. This arrangement is for two weeks, after which students will have to sit for their exams.”
Shri Shikshayatan will call Class VIII from February 14. Secretary general of the school Bratati Bhattachayya said, “All are going to appear for their exams because the curriculum has already been completed for each class. We have called Class XII students on February 3. Class VIII students will sit in different buildings as they are not vaccinated yet.”
Schools, like Sushila Birla Girl’s School, have spoken to parents of Class VIII students. “We have spoken to the parents of Class VIII students because they are a little hesitant. We are making arrangements to seat five classes in different buildings and we have separate gates for entry and exit. Also, 50% of the total strength will be called in on a day,” said Sushila Birla principal Koeli Dey.
St Augustine’s Day School, Shyamnagar, has received several mails from parents, expressing their fear of sending children to school and unwillingness to let their wards attend offline classes immediately. Principal Rodney Borneo said, “We are getting a lot of mails. So we have told them not to worry. But we also made it clear that classes VIII to XII will have to join offline classes as early as possible and requested them to return to school.”