‘Students and Teachers are Not Allowed to Go Out During School Hours’

Q: Have the schools reopened now?

Block Education Officer (BEO): Yes, the schools have reopened for Standards 5th to 12th. Masks are compulsory and social distancing is being ensured. Schools are also being sanitised regularly. Students and teachers are not allowed to go out during school hours. COVID-19 guidelines are being followed strictly.

Q: What about the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) infrastructure in the schools of your Block?

BEO: Computers and the internet are available only in a handful of primary schools. There is no information on if and when these resources will be available in the remaining primary schools.

However, in most higher secondary schools, these resources are available. They are also being provided in the schools which did not have equipment.

Q: Have schools started giving mid-day meals (MDM)?

BEO: No, MDM is not being provided. Cooking amount is either being transferred to the bank account of parents or they are being called to the school for it.

This interview was conducted with a Block Education Officer (BEO) in Kangra, Himachal Pradesh in Hindi on 27 February 2021, and has been translated.

Source: DNA