Chennai: After studying online for the last 19 months, younger students of Tamilnadu, studying in Class 1 to 8, returned to schools today.
With this, all one crore students studying in Tamilnadu schools are being allowed to return to schools for the first time since March 2020 when Covid-19 induced lockdown was announced.
Though many institutions have decided to conduct physical classes by following the safety protocol, some have opted to wait and watch before following suit.
While allowing schools to function, the School Education Department emphasised that the ‘happiness of students’ was a priority. It has framed directives that will determine how the next few weeks will play out for students of government and aided schools.
As announced by Chief Minister M K Stalin, students were welcomed with sweets and flowers.
Stalin urged schools and teachers to welcome children and dispel their anxiety over the novel coronavirus pandemic. He advised them to opt for stories, playing, singing and painting during the first two weeks of school.
The Chief Minister also called upon Parliamentarians, legislators, local body representatives, school managements and headmasters to offer students sweets and flowers. He also requested teachers to use stories, songs and painting to boost their confidence and memory during the first two weeks.
As the children are returning to school after a huge crisis, Stalin urged MLAs, MPs, local body representatives, members of parent teacher associations, principals, teachers to welcome schoolchildren as ‘we have a responsibility to ensure that children return to schools without fear of a pandemic.’