Back to school: The highs and lows

CHENNAI: Children smartly dressed in brand new uniforms, backpacks and water bottles across their shoulders, walked into schools across the city; the vacation is over and the new school year has begun.For parents, accompanying their young children to school on the first day is a must. New classes, new friends and a new set of teachers often frighten them, and the let’s-go-back-home cries begin as soon as they step into the school.Vardini Ashok, whose daughter Aishwarya started Class 2 on Friday at a school in Mylapore, says, “It is very hard for them when they step into class and see only unfamiliar faces. Last year, my daughter went to another section because she wanted to sit next to her friend. When she refused to move even after repeated attempts by teachers, we were called to the school.”“Most people would kill me for saying this but I wish every month could be May,” smiles Usha Ramachandran, assistant manager at an MNC bank. That is the only month that gives her a much-needed break from the mad frenzy of early morning preparations. On Friday it was back to waking Smita, her Class 4 daughter, at 7 am with a glass of Complan. By 8.30 Usha has to finish cooking and pack lunch, ensure that her daughter has everything she needs and wait for the auto to pick her up.Children are excited at being reunited with their friends after a long gap, but not so much about their day now starting earlier. Visalakshi, a student of Vidyodaya Girls Higher Secondary School, said, “Waking up in the morning is the toughest part of coming to school. And I don’t like to wear a uniform every day.” With the unabated heat, teachers fervently hope their students remain unharmed. A teacher from a city school says, “It would be better to reopen schools after the heat has reduced a bit.” However, the skies were cloudy on Friday and gave the children some respite.Special prayers were held, and books distributed to students.