Despite the intensifying winter and COVID wave in Lucknow, several schools in the city restarted physical (offline) classes for students today. As per reports, many educational institutes in the district have cut short on the winter vacation, to make up for the loss of days caused due to prolonged pandemic-induced closure. According to a state order, the winter break was initially supposed to extend till January 15 for all classes up to standard 8. This now stands altered with kids returning to schools today.

Vaccination & schools begin for students

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Schools in Lucknow have reopened offline classes on January 3, in accordance with the COVID protocols and SOPs laid down by the state. This move notably coincides with the decision of the administration to provide the anti-coronavirus vaccination to all those in the 15-18 age category, which also commenced today. Buoyed by this, the school authorities and management have further ensured concerned parents about the safety of the kids and encouraged them to send their wards to attend physical classes.

City Montessori School (CMS) chain of schools reopened all its campuses for offline classes for its students right from the entry-level to Class 12. CMS founder manager, Jagdish Gandhi said, "The school will resume offline classes. We will comply with the district administration or state government order."

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St Francis College (SFC) in Hazratganj has sent text messages to parents in this regard. The message sent to parents whose wards study from Class 6 to 8 reads: "The college will reopen from January 3. Classes will be held both online as well as offline as per the timetable."

"There has to be a sense of normalcy, hence no panic must be created. Masks will be mandatory, as well as social distancing and use of sanitisers. Ours is a fully vaccinated campus. All teaching, non-teaching and support staff and Principal are fully vaccinated," said principal, Mala Mehra, of Hoerner College.

Increasing COVID wave raises health concerns among parents

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Parents on the other hand are concerned and even hesitant at the reopening of schools. "School management needs to realise the COVID vaccination is open only for kids ages 15 to 18. My son is only 14 years old which makes him ineligible for the dose, however, classes have resumed for him. How is it fair that some kids are given the protection of the vaccine while others have to rely on the basics of mask and social distancing? I request a prompt revaluation of the order, keeping the vaccination order in mind.", said Mrs. Aashi Singh of Lucknow.

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"My daughter got vaccinated today but that doesn't guarantee full protection from the virus. For any other service or job, a double vaccination has been advised. This must be the case for children as well. While school education is necessary, the state and schools can easily wait for one month till a significant number of students get both doses of the vaccine", stated another parent, Mr. Sanjeev Mohan.

Meanwhile, several guardians asked the schools to set up vaccination sites on-campus for the inoculation of all students. This concern is stemming right from the active surge of COVID cases in Lucknow.

The fresh tally in the city scaled up to 80 cases on January 2, the highest ever since May 31, 2021. With this, the active caseload has touched the 278 mark for the first time in six months. As per the latest updates, the state daily COVID surge touched 1,725 case count across UP.