KOCHI: After months, higher education institutions reopened on Monday amid the pandemic with most colleges recording nearly 90% attendance. Teachers said students were eager to return and classes were conducted safely as planned.
Classes were held for final year students in undergraduate and postgraduate courses and hybrid mode of learning – using online and offline sessions – were followed in most colleges to maintain social distancing in classrooms. They said that offline learning will attain normalcy in a few days and classes for junior students too can begin soon.
Classes with many students were divided into two groups and held separately, online and offline. While almost all UG classes reported nearly 85% attendance, over 90% students attended PG classes on day one. Almost all colleges reopened their canteens and hostels and students have started using them. Only NRI students and those residing in faraway districts are yet to return.
“All arrangements were made for a smooth reopening as per the guidelines issued by higher education department. We sanitized the premises with the help of NSS/ NCC volunteers and Kudumbashree workers and faculties. Practical classes for junior students were held in small groups.
Admission to UG/PG courses too is happening offline but everything proceeds as per health protocols. Everything will be in full swing by Oct 18,” said Maharaja’s College principal Mathew George.
Only those students, who have taken two doses of the vaccine, were asked to come and attendance is not mandatory. Students have the option to attend either online or offline class, but most students want to meet their friends and teachers as they are tired of online lectures.
“Classes were held just like a normal day and we dispersed before lunch break to prevent close mingling of students. Teachers were deployed to monitor Covid protocols. With semester exams nearing, students are eager to study.
Hostels have started functioning with strict rules and only vaccinated and those with negative RT-PCR reports are allowed to stay. We have organized vaccination drives at college for students and teachers and more drives will be held in coming days,” said principal of St Teresa’s College Lizzy Mathew.
Meanwhile, many students were seen without masks in some colleges. Also, protocols aren’t monitored outside college premises and teachers and parents raised concerns about it. Extracurricular activities like sports and arts too will not be encouraged in the initial days.
