- A new proverbial adage in circulation now viz. learn to live with the virus has indeed gained traction as the nation makes efforts to get back to pre-pandemic normalcy. Though all sectors under the sun can function without any suffocating restrictions in the country, the opening of educational institutes is witnessing mixed reactions largely owing to the alarmist approach adopted by the parent community. As the education comes under the state, the Union Education Ministry has left to the decision of respective states to decide on the move to open or wait, yet.
PC: indiadidac
- Depending on the confirmed virus cases, few of the states have allowed the opening of schools and colleges by strictly adhering to safety and health protocols prescribed for the purpose. Karnataka is one such state that has allowed the opening of colleges and other higher educational learnings recently. Instructions rolled out to adhere to the standard protocol are unambiguous and the institutes were diligent in their efforts at ensuring nothing is compromised on that front. One of the measures prescribed is to ensure students undergo COVID testing to obtain a negative report before reporting for physical classes.
- As expected, attendance on the first three days so far is very thin not even breaching the 5-10 percent mark as every parent would be apprehensive to allow their wards to visit places of learning after a lull of seven months. All colleges and institutes have made necessary arrangements to conduct the RT-PCR testing at the campuses themselves for easy accessibility and comfort. Agreed, there exists a widely prevalent fear of contracting the virus but what does not make sound sense is the reports of continued reluctance/resistance from parents allowing their children to undergo testing to rule out infection.
PC: Rachel Muenz
- Understand that the testing facility is extended to ease the concerns at the portals of learning itself. However, it beats logic to know that the parents are even scared of allowing testing to be carried out for reasons best known to them alone. Reports suggest parents worry that if found positive, the entire family of the student will have to be quarantined and/or further tested to rule out infection. If true, such misguided apprehension is not only counterproductive but also defeats the very purpose of carrying out more testing to preempt virus spreading and timely treatment.
- The Government is doing what is expected of it. Moot point to ponder over here is or we, the citizens, are equally attuned and responsible enough to join hands in contributing to the efforts of the former to face challenges posed by the virus. Unfortunately, the answer is a big no. The least we all can do to support the Government’s endeavors is to voluntarily undergo testing to rule out infection as the majority of the cases detected turn out to be asymptomatic. Let us do our bit by letting go of whatever apprehensions we may have! Go for testing, there is nothing to fear about!
