Rajasthan: Nod to hold assembly, sports and cultural activities in schools

JAIPUR: When schools reopen in the state with 100% students on Monday, many of the regular activities which they are used to on a daily basis would also begin after more than 18 months.
As per the standard operating procedure (SOP) released by the education department on Friday, schools can conduct morning assemblies, sports and other cultural activities as usual, though students and staff would have to follow Covid-related protocols.
Lunch has to be taken in the classroom in the presence of a teacher who would make sure the protocols are followed. But for the mid-day meal that is served in government schools, special guidelines will be issued by the home department soon.
Due to the lockdown, mid-day meal packets were supplied to every student in the state. But discussions are now going on to restart the process again normally.
While private school managements have supported the government decision to reopen schools, parents’ associations are not happy with the decision. Manish Vijayvargiya, convener of Abhibhavak Ekikrat Mahasangh, asked, “The government is pressurised by private schools to extort fees from parents. This is putting the lives of students in danger and we are not in support of this. There are still chances of a third wave and, if that happens, how will the government handle the situation.”
More than 10 lakh students studying in both private and government schools will resume going to schools from Monday. There is a possibility that some parents may watch the situation for a few more days before letting their children go to school.