- The above decision might evoke a mixed response from the concerned stakeholders directly associated with the measure. The government and in turn, the school authorities, would be looking forward to welcoming the children into schools that have hardly functioned over the last year and a half. The pandemic has wreaked havoc on the education edifice as the adverse effects of the continued closure of schools are telling on society in various forms. As experience suggests, every effort undertaken to address this extremely sensitive and ticklish issue has always resulted in a stalemate of sorts. This is largely owing to the passionate discourse underway for and against the proposed move.
PC: Chad Donohue
- No wonder, it is nearly impossible to arrive at a consensus since the topic is related to children. As the understanding and statistics available for the last few months suggest, the children have not been the target of large-scale infection during the two Covid waves. Hence, the authorities would not mind citing the expert opinions from the scientific and medical community for green signaling the commencement of academics after an uncertainty-ridden lull over all these months. Now, the Union Government has advised the states to open schools by diligently following the safety and health protocols. Experts believe that the damages anticipated by the loss of learning would far exceed the damages caused by the dreaded virus.
- The government authorities are also appearing to be veering towards this opinion, and rightly so. There is no denying the fact that children have indeed become couch potatoes relying largely on electronic gadgets for hours together, not only for the limited serving of online pedagogy but also entertainment, as well. It is observed with concern how children are found reluctant to indulge in physical activities despite easing of Covid-related restrictions failing to enthuse the younger lot. Scores of parents vouch how challenging the situation is becoming leading to an unpleasant situation prevailing in many households. Remedy to address the issue before it goes out of hand needs no further emphasis as struggling parents are at their wit’s end.
PC: Enrique Dans
- The moot point to ponder over here is for how long the schools will continue to remain unavailable. Many of the European and western countries have allowed the functioning of schools with reasonable success. As such, there is no reason whatsoever as to why Indian children should be cooped up for eternity instead of asking them to visit schools for conventional classroom learnings. Of course, there will be opposition from the worried parents who might be apprehensive in consenting to send their wards to schools. They might as well raise the bogey of vaccines not being made available to the younger lot citing risks to lives. Hopefully, sa few of the vaccine candidates will be available in the coming days that should address these concerns. Thus, the states should start the schools by commencing conventional teachings forthwith.
