Don’t want online classes, say students

Schools in Bhubaneswar are closed for the winter break, but students are apprehensive about the possibility of a Covid19 pandemic causing a surge in cases. Many students are fine with wearing masks during exams and in classrooms, but are apprehensive about schools being shut and online classes making a comeback. Akash Sahu, a class X student, said, "I hate those days when we were not able to go to school not able to meet our friends or go out to play. We are ready to wear masks and maintain social distancing, but I hope that schools do not ask us to sit at home and attend online classes again." A class VIII student, Aryan Mishra, said, "Back when the pandemic was at its peak we faced difficulties as we had to make a sudden shift to online class now that things are back to normal and children have become accustomed to going to school once again, the cases are rising again. Hope the Covid scenario doesn't become severe and we can continue coming to school." Madhusmita Rout, who teaches at a school here, said, "School and mass education minister Samir Ranjan Dash however said there no reason to be apprehensive. 'In the past we have successfully overcome the