Schools in Kashmir reopened on Monday after remaining closed for nearly one year due to the coronavirus pandemic. The students of Classes 9 to Class 12 attended school for the first time since March 9, 2020. Only those students were allowed to attend school who had been granted permission in writing by their parents.
Over 60 per cent attendance was recorded in most government schools but the exact figures would be known after all the records have been tallied, an official of the School Education Department said.
Private schools recorded higher attendance as classrooms were bifurcated to ensure social distancing.
“Our class has a strength of 40 but today there were only 20 students in the room in view of the social distancing necessitated by the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Ahmad Khan, a Class 10 student of a private school.
Most private schools had sought no objection certificates from parents, absolving the school management of any blame in case of any health issue arising due to conduct of physical classes. Several schools had asked students to bring along medical fitness certificates on the first day of the school.
