Mumbai: No recess for students at this Vile Parle school

Parle TilIshwari Hatnalkar who studies in Std X at Parle Tilak Vidyalaya Marathi Medium Secondary School, said she was happy to return to school as Vidyalaya Marathi Medium Secondary School has adopted a hybrid model of teaching. Pics/Pradeep Dhivar

Parle Tilak Vidyalaya Marathi Medium Secondary School at Vile Parle East, which is almost a century old, reopened its doors for students of Std IX and X on Monday. The school has adopted the hybrid model of teaching as only 50 per cent of the students can attend school at a time and the remaining are attending classes online.

Latika Thakur, the school principal, said, "We have taken up hybrid learning to not just make it easier for the students to understand but even for the teachers so that they don't have to teach the same thing twice. All the protocols are being followed seriously."

The students, who returned to campus after 18 months, did not get recess in a bid to maintain social distance and Covid-19 protocols. They were, however, allowed to eat from their tiffin boxes. The school also checked the temperature of students at the time of entry.

Ishwari Hatnalkar who studies in Std X at Parle Tilak Vidyalaya Marathi Medium Secondary School, said she was happy to return to school

The school has a total of 782 students in Std VIII to X and got consent letters from parents of 621 students. After a detailed meeting, several parents raised concerns of lack of transport options for students to reach school. On Monday, 185 students attended school. The number will increase from Tuesday as Std VIII students will also return.

While parents were anxious, the children were happy to get back to school. Ishwari Hatnalkar, a Std X student, said, "I missed school a lot and am really happy to be back. I did not want to end my school only through online mode but wanted to interact with my teachers and friends while sitting in the classroom. The first bell after a year-and-a-half was the most amazing feeling; I did not know I was missing it so much."

Durvesh Ghanekar, a Std X student, said, "I missed my friends as well as writing competitive exams. My parents are supportive and want me to go to school and get the experience of in-person class, instead of just online."

Darshana Bait, a parent, said, "I am anxious as the fear of Covid is still looming over the city. But, we are sure that the school administration and teachers will take care of the students."