-Reshma Ravishanker
Even as the Karnataka Government has given a go to commence in-person classes in schools, over 65 % of schools have not entered data into the Student Attendance Tracking System portal indicating that in-person classes have not commenced yet.
Starting November 2, full-day classes were allowed to be conducted in private, aided and government schools for children between classes 1-5. The senior classes had commenced earlier in August and September.
Attendance data released by the department of primary education also indicated poor attendance in classes 1-5 across the state with an average of just 25% out of the 10.48 lakh students in these grades who have enrolled in schools. The least was among class 3 students where 24.83 % attended classes on campus.
Similar are the numbers for classes 6-8 where just 61% of schools have submitted data to the SATS. Among the class six students, attendance was at 31%, at class 7, 30% and 36% attended in-person classes among the class 8 students.
Although initial statistics had shown a promising number of students attending in-person classes among those in 9 and 10, in the wake of preparing for the board exams, recent data indicate a similar response as in primary and higher primary classes. 58.78% of schools had not submitted data on the commencement of in-person classes to the government. Attendance in classes 9 and 10 was a mere 38%, department statistics indicate.
Top officials in the education department believe that the dip in numbers and minimal presence in primary classes would be a result of an extended weekend. “We are looking at continuing with at least a stable 50% students in class post-Diwali,” the official said.
