Finally, schools have opened for full time school sessions after a long gap, in Goa and other states as well. However, the report in The Goan Everyday seems to be a little disturbing with schools insisting on an undertaking from parents when the authorities have not mandated such an undertaking. Rather than cheering children back to school this is turning out to be a dampener.
Are the children happy to be back in school? The next report alongside in your newspaper says, a survey has revealed that 77 per cent of students are unhappy with online learning. There is no doubt that the quality of education has taken a big beating in online sessions. Understandably, it is very difficult for students themselves to concentrate on online studies. In short, it is a nightmare for the students, parents and teachers.
However, this issue of students attending school physically needs to be handled with care and a little bit more understanding of the psyche of the children. For two years, they have become accustomed to a system which they had never known before and now adjusting to the older system is going to be a little difficult. The real test will be when the exams are held physically. It is definitely not going to be easy for students, and the authorities with have to take a sympathetic view. They need to have counselling sessions for all students while they are in school. This will certainly help them in adjusting and getting accustomed once again to the earlier system of education. The interests of children must be uppermost in our minds. We need to take along all children 100 percent, in this 'back to school' programme.
