As Karnataka reopened schools for class IX-XII students after five months break, schools reported around 50 percent attendance while PU colleges saw 36 percent students attend in-person classes. 

According to B.C. Nagesh, minister for primary and secondary education, schools and pre-university classes reopened in districts with a Covid positivity rate of less than 2 percent. In Dakshina Kannada, Hassan, Udupi, Chikkamagaluru and Kodagu, students continued with online classes because of high numbers of Covid-19 cases. 

The department of pre-university education released statistics late on Monday which said that out of 6,06,154 students, 2,15,430 opted for offline classes. 

Chief minister Basavaraj Bommai also visited Niramala Rani School with minister for higher education Dr C N Ashwath Narayan to interact with students. While some students were welcomed with flowers, some schools laid out a red carpet for students. Local community leaders also visited schools in their constituencies to welcome students in many districts. 

Nooraine Fazal, co-founder and managing trustee, Inventure Academy said, “We saw 50 percent of students return back to school on day one and are optimistic that the numbers will improve as some parents are doing a wait and watch. School buses have also started to ply with 50 percent capacity. We have also revamped school facilities and installed touch taps, foot operated doors, cross ventilation in classes and two cameras that track the teacher during class to benefit students who have opted for online classes. Students are allowed to bring gadgets to the class to promote interaction with peers who are taking online classes.”

Shashi Kumar D, general secretary, Associated Managements of Primary and Secondary Schools in Karnataka (KAMS) said that most schools operated with over 50 percent attendance for in-person classes. “The numbers were around 85 percent for class X. However, a few schools decided not to start offline classes and are buying time to assess the situation,” he said. 

Also Read: Mizoram: More than 300 schools re-open