Jalandhar: Schools closed due to rain, classes in online mode

Jalandhar: The state government has announced the closure of schools across the city for eight days due to heavy rains and floods, affecting the academic routine of students as their mid-term exams are approaching. To minimise the academic loss, most private schools have resumed studies through online classes from last Tuesday. KS Randhawa, principal of MGN Public School, Adarsh ​​Nagar, said, “The syllabus of most classes and subjects was already completed before the upcoming mid-term exams. These were supposed to be our revision days. Our teachers have been conducting online classes for all classes. However, the level of seriousness and focus in online classes is never the same and hence, it has definitely had a detrimental effect.” He further added that if physical classes resume by September 4, the school will start the mid-term exams as scheduled from September 8. He said, “However, it was necessary to keep students at home these days due to the potential risks. At the same time, it is also a time for students to learn life lessons and understand the concepts of natural disasters and their geographical causes. When students return to school, we will encourage them to donate and thus inculcate in them a sense of responsibility and compassion towards those affected.” Innocent Hearts School has decided to postpone practical exams scheduled ahead of the mid-term exams starting on September 15. Principal Rajiv Paliwal said, “We initially gave homework and assignments when schools were closed for a day on August 26. But as the holidays extended, we started online classes. We will continue the online mode till September 3 and wait for further instructions from the government.”

Amid the rains continuing this morning, staff at several schools had to rush to the campuses to protect electronic and electrical equipment. At Police DAV School, water started seeping into classrooms located on the upper floor, forcing staff to remove smart boards from the walls to prevent damage. Principal Rashmi Vij said, “Rainwater entered through the solar panels installed on the roof. Fortunately, the situation was under control and all the equipment was saved safely.” She said that although online classes were already going on, attendance was low today due to power outage in many areas. “Many students were not able to charge their devices, including phones, which caused hindrances in attending online classes,” she said. She assured that the school would make arrangements to facilitate the affected students. She further said, “For students who could not attend the class, we will repeat today’s lectures. We hope that this crisis will subside soon so that regular classes can resume and mid-term examinations can begin as scheduled from September 15.”