MUMBAI: More than 18 months after schools in Mumbai and surrounding areas shut down, students walked back into classrooms on Monday to an emotional reception from their teachers.
“It was the happiest moment of my 22-year teaching career,” said Sushil Singh, supervisor of Swami Vivekanand School, Chembur. Many school managements posted pictures of their classrooms on social media.
Queuing up at the gates, students put their best foot forward, masking up and maintaining social distance. Teachers were advised not to leave classrooms unattended. Tiffin breaks, physical greetings and exchange of books were barred. Yet the old camaraderie was visible.
“There was a two feet distance from my friends. But it felt nice meeting them. They all looked grown up. When I last met them, we were in class 8,” said Ayush Tiwari, a class 10th student of St Stanislaus School, Bandra.
Over 50% students from classes 5-12 in rural Maharashtra and 35% from classes 8- 12 in urban areas were present on Day 1. In Mumbai, civic schools had over 45% attendance; among aided and private schools, less than 25% resumed. Across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, schools in rural Palghar, Thane and Raigad districts opened classes 5-7 too. The mandate was to re-open with up to 50% attendance.
