Winter break bell tolls; Govt schools record 60% attendance on first day

Attributing the fall in the attendence of students in government schools in Ludhiana to harsh weather conditions, teachers said as most of the students belong to economically weaker sections, they do not have warm clothes and prefer staying at home, while many students presumed that the vacations would be further extended

Making most of the two-week extended winter vacations, Classes 8 to 12 students are back to school. But owing to ‘harsh weather conditions’, an average of 60 per cent attendance was recorded at government schools in the city on Monday.

Classes at several schools which are running on double shifts due to increased student strength, including Government Model Senior Secondary School, Cemetery Road, and Government Multipurpose School, Ludhiana, were held in a single shift. Teachers said as mandatory online practice tests are underway, attendance was lower than usual and hovered around 50 to 60 per cent. (Harvinder Singh/HT)

Attributing the fall in the turnout of students to harsh weather conditions, teachers said as most of the students belong to economically weaker sections, they do not have warm clothes and prefer staying at home, while many students presumed that the vacations would be further extended.

Taking into consideration extreme weather conditions, the Punjab government on January 1 had extended the winter vacations till January 8 for all schools. In another order on January 6, the government extended the holidays in all government, private and aided schools till January 14 for Classes 1 to 7.

The Punjab education minister said the government school students of Classes 8 to 12 and teachers of both primary and secondary have been asked to be present at the schools. The order further stated that the timings of all schools will be from 10am to 3pm.

Classes at several schools which are running on double shifts due to increased student strength, including Government Model Senior Secondary School, Cemetery Road, and Government Multipurpose School, were held in a single shift. Teachers said as mandatory online practice tests are underway, attendance was lower than usual and hovered around 50 to 60 per cent.

A teacher at Government Senior Secondary Smart School, Punjab Agriculture University(PAU), which recorded over 70 per cent attendance said students feel good to be back at school and classes were held in full flow.

District education officer (secondary) Harjit Singh said the attendance ranges between 80 to 90 per cent on regular days, but as it was the first day after two weeks the turnout might be low, but it will increase eventually.