Though the Odisha government has deferred the reopening of government-run schools for Class I to VI students to February 28 in view of the Panchayat elections, no such instructions for private schools, which have nothing to do with the polls, has pushed the students and guardians into a state of confusion.
“Initially, the government had announced that schools will reopen for physical classes for Class I to VI students from February 14, and later rescheduled it to February 28. The directive was meant for government-run schools. Since I study in a private school, I have no clue when my school will reopen. We all are are in a dilemma,” said Jigyasu, a Class VII student of a private school.
While deferring the dates for the reopening of schools, the government has also reportedly not specifically informed when the pre-schools will reopen for kids.
“I was very excited when the government declared that the schools will reopen on February 14. But the date has been rescheduled. I have no idea when the schools will reopen for us,” said Bibhansu, a pre-school student.
Speaking on the issue, president of Utkal Guardians’ Association, Krushna Chandra Pati, said, “Booths have been put up in Government-run schools for the Panchayat elections. However, private schools are not used for poll purpose. What will the students of private schools do? Will they be going to schools from tomorrow, or not?.
“We, the parents and guardians, are now in a state of great confusion. The government must clear the air,” he added.
The announcement about the reopening of pre-school to Class VI after a gap of two years had generated a huge amount of excitement among children, guardians and school authorities alike. Apart from sanitising classrooms, face masks and hand sanitisers were kept in readiness at schools. However, the suspense still continues whether the private schools will resume from tomorrow.
Rashmi Pandey, principal of Sai Angan pre-school, said, “We have adopted all the safety protocols. Closure of schools will complete two years in March. Therefore, we were happy that students would come for a few days in this session.”
Biswanath Behera, secretary, Saraswati Sishu Vidya Mandir, Dhenkanal, said, “There is no word from the government on the reopening of private schools. We expect the schools to reopen from February 28, but we would have been happy if the government had been clear on it.”