Mumbai: Dahisar school records 100 per cent attendance on Day 1 of in-person classes

Children attend a class at Ashokvan Upper Primary Mumbai Public School in Dahisar East on Monday. Pic/Satej Shinde

At the municipal school in Dahisar, most of the parents mid-day spoke to said they are happy as the children will get a break from mobile phones. The school said it received consent letters from all parents.

A mid-day team visited Ashokvan Upper Primary Mumbai Public School in Dahisar East which marked a 100 per cent attendance for Std VIII. Students seemed excited to return to school after almost two years and took selfies with teachers and played with classmates.

The school, which has a total of 35 students in Std VIII, allowed 50% of them to take classes at a time in two batches - from 7.30 am to 9 am and from 9.30 am to 11 am. The school has allotted fixed seats to students to maintain social distance. Staffers are also checking temperature and oxygen levels.

Principal Ashmita Ramchandra Borkar said, "We welcomed students with chocolates and asked them to follow all guidelines. We will sanitise the school premises regularly as well. Online classes were difficult for us, students and their parents. We are happy that students are back."

Bharti Ashok Bhana, mother of two students studying at the school, said, "Online lectures were frustrating and the kids would use mobile phones to play games after classes. Studying in school is far better."

Jyoti Arjun Salvi, another parent, said, "Due to online classes, our kids stopped playing physical games and would be stuck on mobile phones. Now, they can resume physical activities along with studies."

Another parent Anita Khandekar said, "I was facing too many difficulties to solve the queries of my kid at home. Many times teachers solved the queries, but we still faced difficulties. I am happy that my kid can raise the queries immediately to the teacher."