‘Home’ to CAPF personnel, schools & colleges go online

Kolkata: With central forces deployed across educational institutions such as schools and colleges, many have either shifted to online classes or started holding classes on alternate days.A portion of St Peter's School in central Kolkata has already been occupied by central forces for an indefinite period. The school authorities decided to conduct classes on alternate days. Parent of a class 10 student said, "The school is almost occupied by the central forces, so we received a revised class routine for 3 days a week. I am very worried for my son, as he will appear for Madhyamik next year. For the last few months, they were suffering due to the SIR process, and now the poll dates are approaching. So, for over a month, they will face this disruption."St Paul's Higher Secondary School received intimation from the local police station, and preparations have already begun. Headmaster Nipanjan Mandal said, "Their stay and classes cannot continue simultaneously, so in that case we may shift to online classes or hold classes on alternate days because we have the first summative in April. There are many students for whom online classes are a luxury, so they will face trouble if we completely shift to the online mode to continue regular classes. Moreover, parents expressed concern for their kids, but there is nothing we can do."Taki Govt Sponsored Multipurpose School also received communication that central forces will arrive after March 15. School headmistress Swagata Basak said they have decided to shift classes to their second campus near Sealdah and hold classes on alternate days.Forces have also started entering colleges, and major portions of buildings such as Charuchandra College and Maulana Azad College are occupied. Some other colleges have also received letters from the local police station in this regard. The authorities of Charuchandra College has decided to suspend classes and shift to online mode as all the classrooms have been taken over. Maulana Azad College left the ground floor for the stay of central forces and decided to conduct classes on the other floors. Jaipuria College was also informed that central forces will arrive shortly. Madhuchanda Lahiri, the college principal, said, "We are waiting to receive instructions from the university regarding this matter and will follow them accordingly."CU VC Asutosh Ghosh said, "It's becoming very difficult but we are determined to hold the exams as per the schedule. We will definitely find a way out."CU officials started visiting colleges that received requisitions to accommodate central forces. An official said, "The university has already held communications with the Election Commission and the police administration to conduct exams smoothly as per schedule. We are hopeful that there will not be any disruption."