Six-year-old Rohit Roy from Nadia’s Kalyani was advised six weeks of rest by his doctor after he fractured his left arm while cycling with friends.

The doctor’s advice went unheeded by the Class II student of the Pannalal Institution (Primary) who told his parents that he had to be present in school on Wednesday.

In-person classes for children from Class I to Class VII started on Wednesday in Bengal after two long years of pandemic-induced lockdown.

“Rohit had virtual classes since 2021 (when he got admission), he had never been to school, and he did not want to miss the first day… He didn’t want to miss out on a vital part of childhood,” said his father Arup, a businessman.

The Bengal government resumed physical lessons for Classes VIII to XII on February 3. But children like Rohit, studying between Classes I to VII, had to contend with the Paray Shikshalay programme that started on February 7. So when on Monday, he came to know his in-person classes would start from Wednesday, his excitement knew no bounds despite his fractured arm.

On Wednesday morning, Rohit and his friends hugged each other on campus. “Khubi bhalo lagchey, bondhur sathey dekha holo (Feeling very happy after meeting my friends),” an elated Rohit said.

“Children like Rohit were admitted to school but could never experience school life. Their eagerness is natural,” said teacher Nabin Ghosh.

Kaustav Chakraborty, a professor and head of the psychiatry department at the College of Medicine and JNM Hospital in Kalyani, said: “School sessions not just impart education, but also ensure children’s mental wellness. Without classroom education these two years, children developed irritability, mood swings and attention disorder.”

Welcoming the resumption of in-person classes, he added: “Students were suffering from mental stress as they failed to release their energy that they normally do in school through outdoor activities. I am hopeful that the children will now enjoy life and overcome these problems.”