Confusion, safety concerns, lethargy mark first day of school reopening

Very few students turn up for classes after an almost 18-month gap

Under a mango-leaf decked arch, a line of students — some in uniform, some in regular clothes — walked behind drummers as they entered the Mandal Parishad Primary School in Rayalapur on Wednesday for the most unusual and memorable welcome after an 18-month gap. “Some of the children are seeing a school for the first time in their life. Our staff members thought up the idea yesterday and we implemented it today. The student strength of the school is 81 and 35 turned up,” said Siddi Ramulu, the school headmaster. But confusion, safety concerns and lethargy turned school reopening in Hyderabad into a tame affair. Schools across the State had been shut for the past one-and-a-half year due to COVID-19 lockdown and concerns. At prayer time around 9 a.m., at the MPP Primary School, Hyderguda, only three students turned up for classes. One boy cycled into the school to ask when the school will start functioning and then pedalled home to return in uniform. “Attending classes is better than online classes as we get to study as well as play and meet friends. I like to study in school; at home, it is different,” said Gnaneshwar, a Class V student, who returned to school after studying Class III.