Since March, schools and other educational institutions have been tightly locked up. Throughout the lockdown period, we have seen schools using the virtual space as a teaching method. But now the things might as well change or return to the new ‘normal’. With the current Unlock 1.0 initiative in India, the states have been given directives regarding reopening of school. The states are to take the decision regarding the reopening without any intervention by the centre. However, the centre has issued various guidelines to be followed during the reopening. In various states like Maharashtra, the planning for reopening of schools has already begun. It is safe to assume that the schools are being planned to be reopened in the coming month of July.
Risk or Not?
Now the question arises whether it is wise to open schools during such a time of contagious virus spread. Obviously, it is a risk especially in the states who are the worst victims of the pandemic. This reopening could take a very bad turn of it is not executed in a carefully planned way. But if the schools and the government take utmost care and introduce strict sanitary guidelines, this reopening might just work out. The prominent reason behind reopening is that even though the urban schools can work virtually, it the rural and tribal areas whose students are the main concern.
The Planning
It is being said that schools would be slowly and gradually opened in the month of July, with the clearance of the Home Ministry. The states plan to implement the reopening in a phased manner. The schools outside the containment and red zones are said to be the first ones to be reopened. Then gradually the borders for reopening would be opened. The states will be reopening the schools only after proper sanitization and health guideline are undertaken by the schools. All schools will have to follow strict social distancing norms along with the other guidelines.
The new ‘normal’ for schools
So, the key point for safety will be to maintain social and physical distancing between the students. It is being discussed that the schools will be running in more that on shifts with one batch consisting of half the number of students. In the classrooms, too, one’s student at a desk will be made compulsory. It is being discussed of running schools on alternate days. Strict hand hygiene routines will have to be followed by the schools to ensure student safety. All the classrooms and other places will have to be sanitized daily.
Parents’ Worries
The parents are still worried about sending their kids to schools. They are not willing to take the chance. They are not sure about whether the safety and guidelines issued will protect their children. The states have also discussed that the attendance will not be made compulsory for students. The schools are planning to first interact with the parents, take their suggestions into account and then work o resuming the schools. The parents are actually preferring virtual schools, safely studying in the homes, instead of physical schooling.
All of this gives rise to some severe speculations by the citizens. Is it ok to reopen the schools or is it being done in a haste? Should the states wait for time period to pass? Are the plans and guidelines enough to protect their children and them? If a student is found positive, what actions will the schools take? If attendance is not made mandatory, would parents still send their children in school? What we can do is just hope that all this is not done in a hurry and this will wield good results rather than a drastic disaster.
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