Odisha Govt Plans Stress-Free Learning For Children As Schools Reopen Tomorrow

Bhubaneswar: Many children will be entering their classrooms for the first time when schools will reopen on Monday (February 28) for Classes I to VII after remaining shut for two educational sessions due to the COVID pandemic. Parents are anxious and so are the children.

Putting the anxiousness of parents to rest and ensuring a smooth beginning to the new sessions after the pandemic, the School and Mass Education Department has drawn elaborate plans.

The session will begin with interactive and engaging activities, said School and Mass Education Minister Samir Ranjan Dash told mediapersons on Sunday.

Dash said special plans have been made for mind refreshing activities for students at a meeting with senior officials of Board of Secondary Education (BSE) and Council of Higher Secondary Education (CHSE).

As part of a series of activities to create a stress-free and enjoyable learning environment for children, schools have been asked to conduct the rapport-building exercise with activities like open discussion, brainstorming, storytelling, painting, complete the picture, write how they spent their time  during the pandemic and more, said the Minister.

Striking an emotional bond with the students to create and enjoyable learning experience in schools will the target of the educators, he added.

Focus will also be on refreshing the student’s mind by conducting special programme for next week and teaching process will start gradually, he added.

Earlier, the government had reopened the schools for the students of Class 8 to 12 from February 7. The decision to reopen physical classes for Class 1 to 7 from February 14 had to be postponed to February 28 due to Panchayat elections and request from district authorities to prepare the schools to welcome back students.

Parent-Teacher Meeting:

At the parent-teacher meetings held in government schools on Saturday, educators urged parents to send their children to school without any hesitation and ensure full attendance.

Parents of some Class I students returned satisfied from the meeting after getting a clear idea of the learning approach that the government plans to follow. Teachers said they were equally concerned about the learning gaps and effort will be made to make the return of children fun-filled.

According to reports, children of Classes I to V will appear for baseline assessment from March 9 to 11 which will give teachers an idea about their grip over the subjects after online studies.