Several schools are holding sessions with parents to explain to them the need to send students to appear in exams on the campus.
In some schools, parents have expressed concern about sending children to the campus. The head of at least one institution said it’s time to “transit to the offline mode”.
The heads of several schools said on-campus exams would help teachers assess the strengths and weaknesses of the students. This will be especially beneficial for the students of classes IX and XI, who will appear in board exams next year.
The Bengal government had earlier this year announced that schools could reopen for classes VIII to XII from February 3.
Since the announcement came at a time when private schools affiliated to the ICSE council and CBSE have their annual exams scheduled, many institutions have decided to conduct offline exams for the students who are allowed to visit the campus.
The Heritage School had a session with parents of the Class VIII students and Sri Sri Academy with parents of the students of Classes IX to XII.
Loreto Convent Entally has scheduled a session with parents of the students of classes IX to XII for Friday. St James’ School will send a note to parents of the Class IX students this week, asking them to send their children to school for exams.
Several other schools are addressing concerns of individual parents over emails.
“This return to school will help the children transit to the offline mode. They will be coming to school for a shorter duration, for 10 days with exams on alternate days,” said Suvina Shunglu, principal of Sri Sri Academy.
“The pandemic will not go away in one day and will only ebb. I have told parents that if students do not come, they will be marked absent but promoted,” said Shunglu.
She said teachers would also have a clear understanding of where each student stood after two years of online classes.
Teachers in other schools said that it was important to call students of Classes IX and XI because they have their boards next year.
“It is a testing time for teachers…. One exam cannot be a complete assessment but it will give an idea of the learning gaps,” said Jessica Gomes Surana, principal, Loreto Convent Entally.
Anjana Saha, principal of Mahadevi Birla World Academy, said there could be no substitute to exams conducted on the campus.
Some parents said they were worried their children could be exposed to the virus on the campus.
“But parents are going to work and coming back home. It is not that children are staying isolated and not going out. We will maintain the Covid safety protocol on the campus,” said Seema Sapru, principal of The Heritage School.
