PANAJI
The schools across the State have remained closed for the past 18 months and this has reversely affected the team spirit among the kids, making them disturbed and agitating, complain most parents.
The situation is getting serious, as it is unpredictable when the pandemic will be over, hence the current education system needs to be changed as soon as possible as it is hampering the natural development of their psychological, intellectual and emotional growth, feel educationists and psychiatrists in Goa.
The parents and teachers have been discussing the advantages and disadvantages of online education, and some of the schools have even conducted a survey.
The Kirti Vidyalaya at Siolim has conducted a survey of children in the age group of 10-16 years from various schools across the State and submitted the report to the education department last week.
Noted educationist Pandurang Nadkarni, psychiatrist Dr Priyanka Sahasrabhojane and Prof Poornima Kerkar state that it is advisable to open offline schools, making appropriate changes and taking necessary precautions.
According to Nadkarni, the closure of schools for the past 18 months has affected primary school students the most. The government primary and secondary schools in the rural areas can be opened by starting Gram Shikshan Samitis at this level and taking their help, he feels. The sarpanch, panch members, executive members of the parents-teachers association and teachers can come together to decide upon the strategy to open schools, says the educationist.
“As the school is online, the children have lost in touch with their friends and do not meet up to play together. Sitting all day at home may result in them becoming introverts. Mobile usage has increased tremendously and these kids may face eyesight issues in the long run. It is not possible to receive a similar kind of guidance through online education, which the direct interaction with the teachers and students can offer,” says Nadkarni.
Dr Priyanka Sahasrabhojane points out, “As the children are confined to their homes for the past 18 months, they may show signs of frustration. If such signs are seen, the parents should immediately take action and consult a doctor.”
Dr Sahasrabhojane says, “The parents, instead of stressing only on the intellectual education, should also consider the likes and dislikes of their children, take them for outings in nature, so that they remain calm and steady.”
As the children are confined to four walls all the time, studying from home, not visiting playgrounds, their sports activities are restricted and their physical capabilities will also suffer in the long run, warns the psychiatrist.
“The mobile addiction is growing; it will affect education adversely. To avoid all this, parents must spend family time, have meals together, take the kids to fields, and do gardening. All children, in this tender age, need proper guidance,” advises Poornima Kerkar.
