Mangaluru: Clad in new uniforms, students of classes VI and VII enthusiastically entered their classrooms across Dakshina Kannada district on Monday.

The classes for sixth and seventh begun after district administration gave permission for the same due to decline in Covid-19 positivity rate.

Arrangements were made to sanitise all classrooms ahead of opening of the schools for the children. Some of the schools were decked up with green leaves and flowers to welcome the students. Teachers had even made arrangements to welcome all children by offering each them a rose.

The classes had remained suspended since April 2020. Later, the teachers were conducting classes via online. After the decline in Covid-19 cases, the classes for standard VI and standard VII had resumed from January 2021 till March. Owing to second wave of covid, the schools remained closed. To avoid chaos, classes for standard VIII was held in the noon from 1.30 pm to 4.30 pm.

Volunteers had carried out shramadaan on school premises ahead of the reopening day. The Government Model Higher Primary School in Uppinangady, surrounded by weeds and slush due to stagnant rainwater, was cleaned by members of SKSSF Viqaya team to welcome students from Monday.

As many as 45 members of Viqaya team had cleared the weeds that had grown around the school and on its ground.

Later, they cleaned the roof of school building. School Head Teacher Devaki said that weeds had grown all over the school building that had remained closed due to Covid-19 pandemic. The Viqaya team has cleaned the school premises to welcome students. Schools had even made arrangement to check the body temperature of the students using thermal scanners and sanitisers.

Even social distancing was maintained inside the classes. Students were asked to get hot water for drinking.