Government schools reopened in East Singhbhum district on Monday amid strict Covid protocols after a shutdown of over eight months since the first week of April.

Students of Class X and XII were allowed to enter their respective campuses after a thorough check pertaining to masks and use of sanitisers and thermal scanners.

"All government schools resumed classes for X and XII as per state government guidelines. Only those students producing consent letters of their parents were allowed into classrooms," said district education officer Sachidanand Tigga.

The East Singhbhum district has 130 government schools.

A.K. Ghosh, a senior teacher of Sakchi High School, said, "It's good to see students returning to the campus after a gap of over eight months. On the first day on Monday students of Class X were asked to submit their answer sheets for Unit II examination which was conducted online last week."

Sources in the education department revealed that on an average, government schools recorded attendance between 30 and 49 per cent on the first day. School authorities were optimistic about more students attending class.

"Monday being the first day, the turnout of students was less. But we are expecting good attendance from Tuesday onwards, " said a teacher of Rajasthan Vidya Mandir in Sakchi.

Students looked happy to be back on campus. "Classroom study is definitely different from online classes. We are hopeful that things will gradually become normal in due course of time,” said Pushpa Kumari, a Class X student of People's Academy in Baradwari.

A student of Kadma-based Tata Workers' Union High School said, "Covid protocols were strictly followed. Apart from masks, use of sanitisers and thermal scanners, social distancing norms were also followed. Only one student was allowed in a bench. We enjoyed classes on the first day."