Summary
The Delhi University reopened on February 17 after remaining closed for two years owing to the COVID-19 pandemic
College authorities are ensuring that students maintain social distancing and follow COVID-appropriate behaviour
Many colleges under Delhi University have started conducting open-air classes in batches to ensure physical distancing as a majority of students have resumed attending physical lectures after the varsity reopened earlier this month following a suspension of on-campus classes for two years in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
"We have given our teachers the freedom to sit outside and hold classes in the open. Several teachers are taking classes in the open," said Anju Shrivastava, principal of Hindu College.
The Delhi University reopened on February 17 and the students are turning up in good numbers. The colleges are expecting more students to arrive in the coming days.
Principal of Miranda House, Bijayalaxmi Nanda said the priority is to provide students a complete college experience keeping in mind that their health is not affected.
"We are suggesting open-air sessions as the chances of transmission is less in the open. We are ensuring that they (students) go outside and also keep doors and windows open in classrooms. We are seeing to it that they are wearing masks," she said,
The colleges are also providing regular counselling to students who are facing psychological issues to help them adjust to the new environment. Cases of physiological issues have risen among students, according to college principals.
"We are trying to follow all COVID protocols. As students are coming in large numbers, it is difficult to maintain social distancing. There is also a problem of overcrowding," Shrivastava told PTI.
As colleges are opening after a two-year lull, Shrivastava is of the view that it will take time for things to settle down.
"It will take time to open completely and we are working on that. We hope that we get settled very soon. We need to prioritise everything, from classes to the cafeteria to the hostel. All these things are to be taken into consideration," Shrivastava added.
Principal of Ramjas College, Manoj Khanna noted that the anxiety level is very high among students.
"Suddenly psychological issues among students have risen. The anxiety level is very high among students. We refer them to counsellors," he said.
He admitted that it is quite difficult to maintain social distancing inside the campus.
"Our infrastructure facilities are not such that we can adjust all students so we are taking classes in batches. We cannot put students in isolation. Though we try to maintain social distancing in classes, students meet up outside and it is very difficult to force them to maintain social distancing," he added.
The colleges have said they are ensuring proper counselling for those students who have been dealing with psychological problems.
Guru Tegh Bahadur Khalsa College principal Jaswinder Singh said, "We have a trained counsellor. The counsellor comes twice every week. But if there are urgent cases, we provide contact details of the counsellor to the students."
Last updated on 23 Feb 2022
