Students of class VII and VIII in Phuentshogling are finally back to their schools after nearly five months of studying online. The schools in Phuentshogling remained closed after the town went under lockdown on April 16 to control the spread of COVID-19 in the community.
They resumed their classes on Monday.
School life is considered precious; you meet new friends and learn new things every day. But children in Phuentshogling were denied these opportunities after an outbreak of a COVID-19 community case some five months ago. Today, sitting in the classroom wearing face masks in the scorching heat, they have no complaints but only gratitude that they are able to come back.
T
he students said on-campus learning is always better than online learning. “We understand better in the classroom. It is more fun to be with friends. We discuss our studies and it helps us dedicate more time to studies,” said a student in Phuentshogling.
“It is challenging to study online. When mobile phones give problems, it’s difficult to study. In the classroom, when teachers explain, we understand better,” said another.
With students of class IX-XII relocated to Punakha and the lower classes still undergoing online classes, students of middle secondary schools are clubbed with the lower secondary schools. Similarly, students of Phuentsholing Higher Secondary school are brought to the premises of Sonamgang Middle Secondary School. The schools are functioning with strict adherence to the COVID-19 protocols prepared by the southern COVID-19 Task Force.
“There is a time difference of 30 minutes between the two schools here. For instance, when they start their first period, my students start entering the school. When their students break for an interval, my students still remain inside the classroom,” said Tshewang, the Principal of Phuentsholing Middle Secondary School.
Meanwhile, Phuentshogling has not detected a single COVID-19 positive case from the community for more than a month.
Sonam Penjor, Phuentshogling
Edited by Sonam
