The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare's green signal for reopening schools for class 9 to 12 students from September 21 comes at a time when Covid infections are at an all-time high across the nation, with Goa being no exception. India reported a single-day spike of 89,706 cases on Tuesday. Goa has been registering daily deaths in the range of 6 to 11, and Covid-positive cases are rising exponentially. Against this backdrop, opening up of schools could be another nightmare for managements, students and parents.
On the other side of the argument, resumption of crucial classes, 9 to 12, could help weaker students who failed to adapt to the online process, either due to lack of internet facilities or devices. Holding voluntary school sessions could help students familiarize themselves with the pattern of exams at the board level and resolve issues faced in different topics. Subjects like math and physics are challenging, and not all students could find the going comfortable with the online study material.
The standard operating procedures released late Tuesday have put restrictions, keeping the security of students in mind. Schools are told to function at not more than half the capacity. They are directed to use thermal guns to screen staff and students, sanitize premises, enforce physical distancing, use masks, besides curtail school hours and restrict a series of other activities. More importantly, students are allowed to visit schools voluntarily after taking written permission from their parents.
While the school premises are opening, the online learning process continues, and those comfortable with the existing system have the option of pursuing the 'study from home' system. However, given the peer pressure and competition in academics, students too could face a dilemma here when some are getting personal attention.
The reopening, in whatever form, throws a massive challenge to school managements, more specifically when it comes to following such a stringent protocol. In Goa, the atmosphere is not very conducive because some teachers and administrative staff have tested Covid positive recently, throwing a scare among others at the campus. There are bigger risks with students because they could be asymptomatic carriers of the virus to their homes. Students, if infected, could trigger a bigger scare because they will not only face an unnecessary health situation but will also put at risk older parents, grandparents back home.
Diagnostic testing and surveillance of students cannot guarantee a safe environment. Hence, the only practical way would be to discourage in-person learning until there is a considerable decline in positive cases.
Sending children back to school is undoubtedly a risk at this stage. However, it is a conscious and well-calculated decision that parents will have to take after weighing in all the parameters. They will have to choose between the safety of their wards and pursuing academics. It could be a tough decision to make for some, but the ball is definitely in their court.
Diagnostic testing and surveillance of students cannot guarantee a safe environment. Hence, the only practical way would be to discourage in-person learning until there is a considerable decline in positive cases
