Guwahati/Dibrugarh: Classes resumed on Monday in four flood-hit Upper Assam districts, but muddy campuses and health risks persisted at several schools.Sivasagar, Charaideo, Golaghat and Jorhat reopened schools 10 days after classes resumed elsewhere. Floodwaters left campuses covered in mud and potentially toxic silt, while many students remained traumatised after witnessing deaths.In Sivasagar, 140 schools remained closed — 110 were submerged and 30 housed relief camps. At the flood’s peak, 982 schools and over 81,000 students were affected, with Nazira, Khelua, Amguri and Demow among the worst-hit blocks.Officials authorised school heads to assess campuses before reopening. Teachers were directed to monitor students’ health, coordinate with health centres and inspect flood-damaged electrical fittings. Attendance may initially remain low as families cope with displacement and rebuilding.“To ease the transition, teachers have been told to focus only on revising material already taught, rather than introducing new lessons, until attendance crosses 90%. Mentor teachers have also been asked to stay in touch with parents to check on children’s wellbeing,” a district education department order read.In Jorhat, 66 of 125 affected schools remained closed, including around 10 relief camps. “We aim to reopen all schools by Aug 15, by which time we hope conditions will be near normal,” inspector of schools Buli Gogoi Bhuyan said.Around 30 schools remained closed in Golaghat, where Dhansiri was above the severe flood level until Sunday night. Seven schools housed relief camps.Charaideo reopened all 35 private schools and 739 of 741 govt schools, welcoming students with chocolates.“Transforming the schools into child-friendly spaces before reopening by clearing all the mud and silt was a massive challenge after such a disaster,” inspector of schools Palash Kakati said.The govt provided Rs 2 lakh each to flood-ravaged schools, while mobile medical units screened students. Summer vacation, scheduled from July 1 to 31, was extended in badly affected districts.
