MAPUSA
Representatives of Parent-Teacher Associations (PTAs) of at least five schools in Mapusa have appealed to the government to defer reopening of schools till December end and to decide on the future course of action after reviewing the situation in January 2021.
The PTAs also said the government should continue with the present system of conducting online classes by ensuring proper connectivity.
Several members of the PTAs said the environment was not conducive to reopen schools as the number of positive cases was spiralling in the State.
“It’s a sensitive issue. The government should understand the concern of the parents who are worried about their children. The government should not reopen schools till the end of December and review the decision in the New Year after taking the parents into confidence,” said Tushar Tople, PTA member of Saraswat Vidyalaya, Mapusa.
Tople among other PTA members was addressing a news conference in Mapusa on Wednesday.
Rattling the Covid statistics, he informed that over 1,300 persons are positive in Bardez, over 500 patients are home quarantined while 30 to 40 persons test positive in Mapusa daily.
According to the PTA Chairman of Kushe Higher Secondary School (DM’s junior college), Mahesh Swar, most parents were not in favour of reopening of schools.
“We conducted a survey which showed that 85 per cent of parents were against reopening of schools, 12 per cent were in favour while 3 per cent remained undecided,” Swar said.
Listing problems which the children and teachers were likely to face, he said, transport will be a big hurdle for the students and the parents.
Secondly, he said kids will have a problem to continuously keep the mask on their face putting each other and the teachers at risk.
“The limited number of toilets could also lead to spread of infection among the student community,” he disclosed.
The PTA Chairman of Dynanprasarak Vidyalaya, Mapusa, Prashant said the government and the education department were the best to evaluate the situation and decide on whether to start the schools or not.
“But we feel the government should not reopen schools until December end,” he said.
The PTA chairman of G S Amonkar Vidya Mandir School, Vijay Bhike said the government should be sensitive to people’s concern and make an informed decision on reopening schools.
“Covid-19 cases are rising and the number of deaths is also increasing in the State. At times there are hardly any beds available at the GMC. In such circumstances what will the government do if some students contract the deadly virus,” Bhike questioned.
Several other PTA members of the schools also spoke and urged the government not to reopen the schools.
