The West Bengal government on February 7, 2022 launched ‘Paray Shikshalaya’ which is an open-air classroom initiative for primary and pre-primary students. During the COVID-19 pandemic, many students dropped out of schools. It is an initiative to encourage those students to continue their education.
On January 31, classes from 8 to 12 began. However, students who are studying in the lower classes continued to take the online classes. A week before this declaration, Students’ Federation of India, West Bengal Chhatra Parishad and Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad had been remonstrating in the road demanding continuation of schools for all classes as soon as possible. A segment of doctors and guardians were also in favour of continuation of the schools of all classes. In view of the growing clamour for offline classes, the state government assured to continue the schools and also launched this initiative.
At first, the initiative was meant for primary school students. However, students who are studying in class 6 and 7 were also included in the offline classes. Students are being called in batches. Marshalling for mid-day meals have also been made for the students.
Schools which do not have open-air spaces, with the help of local councillors and MLAs, teachers should accompany the classes in the nearest parks and grounds. Schools which have open-air spaces will hold the classes there. To provide a real classroom experience, benches were set up for students and blackboards were also placed.
On the first day, students take the physical classes with zeal. Nearly 30 to 40 students per school attended the classes. Students were asked to follow Covid-19 safety measures and wear masks all the time.
