Pune: iTeach schools - a network of PPP model free secondary (Grade 8-10) schools for the city's poorest students - have recorded an average attendance of 80 per cent and 90 per cent for grade 9 and 10 respectively.

The i-teach schools are operated in partnership with PMC and PCMC and funding partners like Credit Suisse, Cybage and others.

Following the notification by the government, physical schools for Grade 9 -10 started earlier this month. iTeach Schools are ensuring all security measures strictly to minimise the risk of community transmission.

1. There are temperature checks for both students and teachers before the entry

2. Physical distancing during lessons and all interactions.

3. Students sit on specified seats which are not shared with anyone at any day

4. Only 15 students sit in one class and face masks are being worn by students and face shields by all staff members

5. There is minimised contact as student submissions are made virtually as much as possible

6. Additionally, these students are learning on devices, even while being in schools - a first among the PMC Schools

These measures have instilled confidence about the feasibility and safety at physical schools both in students and their parents. And has resulted in an average attendance of 80 per cent and 90 per cent for grade 9 and 10 respectively already.

These are among many measures adopted in order to ensure that learning doesn’t stop despite its novel format of delivery and ensued challenges.