The Directorate of Education (DoE) directive to schools and higher secondaries to give students two water breaks during school hours is a positive step towards the health of students. But once again, the Goa board has followed a dictatorial policy issuing a circular without factoring in the ground situations of schools. It has left the teachers and schools clueless on how to go about, with a host of issues unaddressed.
Water is crucial for all humans, and children aged between 4 and 13 are required to drink approximately 6-8 glasses per day. Currently, students are not habituated to regular water intake for varied reasons. Schools in Goa have their issues when it comes to enforcing this water circular and none of these have been discussed or debated.
The moot question, however, is why are students not encouraged to drink water more often? The answer is because teachers face a logistical issue since students march out regularly to the washrooms disturbing the class. The introduction of two water breaks is going to create a similar situation, especially in primary sections, and the onus will be on the teachers to ensure discipline. Imagine a class of around forty students where the teacher is interrupted by the flurry of student exits and entries. How does one control the chaos throughout that period?
Moreover, when students empty their water-bottles, not all schools are in a position to supply clean potable water to students. The water supply infrastructure in the State is so pathetic that sometimes villages thirst for water very frequently and Bardez is a glaring example. Leave aside drinking water, even school toilets run dry. And even while this piece is being written, there is news pouring in that a pipeline has cracked at remote Xelpem in Sanguem threatening a water scarcity in major parts of Salcete and Mormugao for the next few days.
There are around 210,000 students in Goa and educating them on the significance of water consumption is necessary. However, instead of just following other states like Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Telangana where schooling is full-day, Goa Board should have opened up channels of debates and discussions with stakeholders on how to carry it forward. It is rather surprising that circulars continue to be imposed on schools without involvement of stakeholders including principals, PTAs and the Goa Headmasters Association. It’s baffling to understand why the Goa Board persists with one-way communication.
Inculcating the water habit is not entirely the responsibility of the schools and teachers, parents also should play an important part. In schools, there is a bell to remind a child of water, but what happens when he reaches home? Who will ring the alarm bell on water consumption? The water habit should be part and parcel of every student’s lifestyle be it in school or home, and shouldn’t be an exercise that is forced upon. Awareness should come from the school, and the parents need to carry it forward.
