The physical classes for VI and VII students resumed in Odisha on Monday after a gap of more than one-and-a-half years.
Physical teaching for classes VI and VII students remained suspended since March 2020 due to the Covid19 pandemic.
Along with other parts of the country, the students continued their studies online.
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The schools reopened for classes VI and VII students with strict adherence to the Covid19 guidelines and Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) prepared by the Odisha School and Education Department.
According to a media report, the classes began at 9.30 am and continued till 1 pm.
The report quoted officials as saying that the classes would continue on all days excluding Sundays and public holidays, and there will be no recess or lunch hour.
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Prior to the reopening, the classrooms were sanitized, the report said.
It has been reported that while in some places, schools put murals with awareness messages to alert the children regarding Covid19 infection, in some other schools, the teachers welcomed the students with flowers, pens and chocolates.
The report quoted the headmistress of a school as saying that after doing thermal scanning and ensuring wearing of masks, the students were allowed to attend the school.
She said after completion of teaching, they were allowed to go home at 1 pm.