Several private schools decide to switch to in-person classes following rain

Several private schools have decided to switch to in-person classes following Monday’s rain.

Loreto House; Loreto Convent Entally; Loreto Day schools in Sealdah, Elliot Road, Dharmtala and Bowbazar; and Rammohan Mission High School are among those that will shift to in-person classes from Wednesday or Thursday.

Others such as South Point, Sri Sri Academy, St Augustine’s Day School Shyamnagar and Swarnim International School called students back to campus on Monday because of the forecast for rain.

“We wanted children to come back because there is an improvement in the weather. They can take back their exercise books and submit projects before the school closes for the summer break,” said Aruna Gomes, principal, Loreto House.

For most schools, the ongoing week would be the last before they close for summer.

“Our summer vacation starts a little later, from May 22, so if we see the weather is hot and uncomfortable again, we will switch back to online classes,” said Sujoy Biswas, principal, Rammohan Mission High School.

Many schools had switched to online classes after the school education department issued a notice in April, announcing an early start of summer vacation because of the heatwave.

The department had sent a copy of the notice to the CBSE (Central Board of Secondary Education) and the CISCE (Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations). The council had sent a copy of the notice to its affiliated schools.

“We had switched to online classes but every day we were receiving emails from parents requesting us to call students back to school because they are working parents and finding it difficult to continue with online classes,” said Gargi Banerjee, principal, Sri Sri Academy.

A teacher at Sri Sri Academy said: “For students in the board classes, lab work is crucial, something that they miss in online classes.”

Some schools, however, have not yet changed their online schedule.

“We have just two days of school left and so we are not calling the students back and are continuing with online classes,” said Terence Ireland, principal, St James’ School.