The State government is planning to restart physical classes before the Diwali vacation, a decision that must be viewed positively and with cautious optimism. Several states have re-opened schools, including neighbouring Maharashtra and Karnataka which were in the eye of the Covid storm during the second wave, and Goa joining in the decision on schools comes as no surprise.
The Covid data paints a grim picture. The latest figures released by the Health Department show a total of 22,371 children tested positive collectively in the first and second phases, with those between the age of 11 and 15 years topping with 6,830 cases. Also, some of those States where schools have reopened have had horrifying experiences.
In Bengaluru, around 60 students from a residential school tested positive forcing the institute shut. In Kolar, Karnataka, a dozen students in Class IX were found positive. In Maharashtra alone, there are over 750 students that have been tested positive since their classes resumed. Also, 30 Mumbai medical college students tested positive, out of which 28 were fully vaccinated.
The figures are alarming and which is why Goa would require a concerted effort from all stakeholders to ensure the safety of students -- parents, heads of schools, teachers, staff and the education department. Goa cannot keep its schools shut over an extended period because of the adverse effect it has on students and their academic careers.
While the academic year 2020 exposed the chinks in the online teaching system and the State's failure to cope up with the virtual world, 2021 has been no different. Students continue to grapple with online learning, courtesy poor connectivity, and adaptability remains an issue. The assessment system, which was supposed to be on a 'fair criteria' has been unfair to many deserving students forcing them to deviate to optional careers. There are psychological issues faced. The chaos of last year, cannot carry over, and the sooner a decision is taken on schooling, the better it will be for all.
The cautiousness with which the government has approached reopening by constantly engaging the expert committee is a positive sign that puts the safety of students on priority. While the government gears up to make an announcement, much of the focus will shift to school managements which will have to strictly adhere to protocols and safety guidelines. A callous attitude here could boomerang and students could be worst affected, defeating the purpose of reopening.
Encouraging signs have emerged with some of the private institutes alerting students of reopening of classes and mailing them the protocol that needs to be followed. One private college has asked students to furnish a RT-PCR test report with a validity of 72 hours to resume classes. Others have made elaborate arrangements in terms of spaced-out seating and sanitization.
We only hope that this crucial decision of reopening schools doesn’t become a point of political debate aimlessly targeted towards pulling down the administration. It’s important to understand the situation from the perspective of careers of students as much as from the point of their safety. The expert committee has spoken its mind and it is for the government to take a studied call.
