New class, new books, new uniforms and stationery — the virus scare put paid to this excitement.

But as school buildings stay closed as a precaution against Covid-19, some schools are finding out ways to start their classes in the new academic year.

Gulmohur High School, Telco, affiliated to the CISCE, started using technology to connect teachers and students in a virtual classroom. Starting from March 18, the school is using Scientific Study, a school management system to help teachers develop and disseminate e-content via the system connected on smartphones. Teachers can take attendance and interface with students.

“We don't know how long will we take to recover from the situation so we started using the school management system,” said principal Preeti Sinha. “Student response is good, from 20 per cent when we started it to 85 per cent now.”

CBSE-affiliated Jusco School South Park too is in the process of uploading digital content on its school mobile app for classes starting from Class IX. “Our IT department is in the process of creating PDF files that students can access. We will give them assignments as this is no vacation,” said principal Mili Sinha.

On Saturday, the department of higher education, school education and literacy under the Union ministry of HRD issued a directive to all its stakeholders to get involved in developing e-content and online evaluation, prepare a lesson plan for the next academic session, do research, write articles and papers, prepare a question bank and projects on “Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat” and other topics. It has asked schools and colleges to use the government’s digital platform as far as possible during the enforced home stay.