WB School Reopening: 31 lakh students attend open-air classes

21,000 students attended open-air classes at 531 venues maintaining COVID protocols in Kolkata.

WB School Reopening: With the allowance of reopening of educational institutions in West Bengal, 31 lakh students from Classes 1 to 7 turned up at 75,000 venues across the state on the first day of the open-air learning session. Under the project launched by the West Bengal government, ‘Paray Shikshalay’ (education centre at your locality), the sessions were held either on open ground in a locality which can be easily communicable for students or one adjacent to a school having a large number of pupils.

According to PTI, 21,000 students attended open-air classes at 531 venues maintaining COVID protocols in Kolkata. Kolkata Municipal Corporation Mayor Firhad Hakim visited a 'Paray Shikshalay' centre at the Chetla Agrani Durga puja ground. Students from eight schools in ward number 82 took part in open-air classes at that venue.

Talking about the conduct of offline classes, an official informed PTI, the open-air sessions were held only in the first half - from 10.30 am to 1 pm as the West Bengal government declared a half-day holiday to mourn the death of Lata Mangeshkar.

Panchayat representatives supported and helped to prepare a setup for 'Paray Shikshalay' in rural areas. However, in urban areas, local councilors came out in support of the open-air classes.

Announced on January 24, 'Paray Shikshalay' was introduced for primary school students (Class 1 to 5). However, later on, the authorities included students of Classes 6 and 7 as physical classes did not reopen for them. Schools in West Bengal reopened for Classes 8 to 12 reopened from February 3.

Read More: