Authorities of the District Primary School Council (DPSC) and district primary education department of Jalpaiguri have requested teachers of the state-aided primary schools across Jalpaiguri district to conduct classes for students in an informal manner.

Lakhyamohan Roy, the DPSC chairman, said that the primary schools are closed for the past 20 months and there was no indication as to when those will commence. “Also, no mechanism of online education has been evolved for the students of these schools. As a result, a considerable number of students are not studying on a regular basis. That is why, we are requesting the teachers to hold informal classes somewhere near their schools in small groups by following Covid safety protocols,” Roy added.

Nripatibhusan Roy, a senior schoolteacher who is also a president medal awardee, said: “Students of primary classes learn mostly in schools and study little at home. But now that the schools are closed, there is doubt as to how many of them are studying regularly and learning lessons which they were supposed to learn in classes. The problem is not such for private schools where online classes are being held. It would be good if the teachers can take such an initiative to conduct informal classes near schools.”

There are 1,214 government-aided primary schools in Jalpaiguri district and altogether, around 1.60 lakh students study in these schools.

Officials of the district primary education department said they have already started holding meetings with primary teachers of the district.

“I, along with the DPSC chairman and other officers of my department, have started visiting different areas of the district. We are holding meetings with teachers and asking them to find a place near the school where they can call students for classes. The idea is to initiate the classroom practice so that students do not lag behind in studies,” said Shyamal Roy, the district inspector of schools (primary).

The teachers who are attending the meetings are also being asked to explore options as to how such informal classes can be conducted.

“The students can be divided into groups and can be called for classes on alternative days or at least twice a week so that physical distancing and other Covid norms are maintained,” said a source.