PANJIM: Schools across Goa reopened as per their regular schedule to a cheerful atmosphere after over a month-long summer vacation on Monday, amidst fears of rising COVID-19 cases. The last time schools had reopened for an academic year was in June 2019, thereafter physical classes had been disrupted for the past two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdowns.
Students, accompanied by parents, came in uniform to, in some cases, decorated classrooms, as schools managements had made elaborate
arrangements to welcome their students.
Though the schools had reopened last year, there were restrictions on the number of students, and at no point in time was the entire strength of the school present at the same time. This is the first time since 2019 that classrooms were full with students at the start of the academic year.
“It’s great to be back. It was a tough two years to be at home, attending online classes, missing
classroom fun, the school chaos, everything,” said Alinda Gomes, a student of Don Bosco’s Panjim.
Another student from the Cujira school complex, Radhika said, “I was thrilled to see the Cujira school complex coming back to life. Though classes had resumed last time, there were restrictions on the number of students but today, we see so many students. I am happy to be back to normal schooling.”
Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant also visited the Tarabai Dalvi High School at Bhamai, Usgao and the Government Primary School at Dharbandora, where he interacted with the students. He wished all the students a great year at the school full of learning and fun.
Sawant, who is also the Education Minister, had said that the government is monitoring the COVID-19 situation in the State for now.
On inquiry at several schools, it was learnt that buildings were cleaned and sanitized fully. Teachers and students were also advised to make use of sanitizers every time they enter the classroom. “We were happy to see the enthusiasm of the students, they were excited to be back to normal schooling,” a teacher said.
