The new academic year of 2021-2022 has begun on Tuesday.

Schools have reopened for physical classes after months of online classes following coronavirus safety measures.

Schools are completely prepared to welcome back students under guidelines set by the education ministry – students’ temperatures are to be taken as they enter the school premises and their hands are to be sanitized.

As per the guidelines, classrooms have been arranged in a way that social distancing is maintained and social distancing is to be practiced everywhere around the school.

While speaking with RaajjeMV, a student from Aminiya School affirmed that they were very happy to be back in school and that they had faced a lot of difficulties during online school because they were unable to meet with their teachers and classmates.

The student then stated that they wish to keep attending normal school and hopes that they are not forced to go back to online school.

Teachers were also very pleased to have their students back. A leading teacher in Iskandhar School who spoke to RaajjeMV stated that the school was fully prepared to open its doors to students once again. They affirmed that everything required for students to continue their classes are ready and confirmed that they have no lack of teachers.

The Iskandhar teacher also noted that all guidelines set by the ministry are being followed by the school.

As the new academic year begins with new safety protocols, the education ministry had previously asked that students are not sent to school if showing any symptoms of Covid-19. The education ministry noted that following protocol is the only way to stop the spread of the virus within schools.

Further, with the Health Protection Agency (HPA) approving Pfizer vaccine for children between the ages of 12 and 18, a campaign to vaccinate children is set to commence soon. United States on Monday donated over 100,000 doses of Pfizer vaccine to Maldives.

While the academic year normally starts in early January, the months-long school closures due to Covid-19 led to drastic changes to the calendar.