Reopening of Educational Institutions: Is It Pragmatic Or Risk-prone?

Bhubaneswar: Notwithstanding COVID-19 cases amounting to over a lakh in India amid apprehensions it would peak in June, some states in India are reopening educational institutions while certain others are planning to do so. The Centre is also reportedly mulling over a proposal to reopen schools in a phased manner starting July.

This has understandably sparked off a debate on whether such a risky move is warranted in a pandemic situation. While one school of thought is against reopening of centres of learning as education is not considered an ‘essential commodity or service,’ there are some who feel schools and colleges need to resume functioning with necessary precautions. But the moot point is: can social distancing norms be practised effectively in educational institutions? Those aware of the ground realities would agree the answer has to be a Big No! Education is a major factor of the economy; so why endanger the lives of so many teachers, students and other staff across India? Currently, India is the 10th most affected country in the world. And the tally of active cases exceeds worst-hit countries like Spain, Italy, Germany, Turkey and Iran. So, are we prepared to deal with a likely spike in COVID cases?

SCHOOLS ACROSS THE WORLD

In Germany and Denmark, students have returned to schools. In Asia, schools have reopened in China, South Korea and Vietnam. Schools resumed in China on April 27 since their last case of COVID-19 was reported on March 18. Japan has started opening its schools since early April. The United Kingdom is planning to reopen their schools gradually phase-wise from June 1. Most of the schools in the USA have decided to remain closed for the whole academic year. Reportedly, according to UNESCO, due to lockdown, 90 per cent of the world’s student population across 186
countries and territories are not going to schools.

SCHOOLS IN INDIA

In India, some of the states are planning to reopen schools on June 15 while other states are pondering over the resumption of classroom education in July. Though Maharashtra is the worst hit, their state education minister Varsha Gaikwad is said to be keen on reopening schools on June 15 ostensibly because of the absence of digital literacy and internet connectivity in rural areas. In Sikkim, only one corona positive case was reported on January 30 and its education minister Kunga Nima Lepcha plans to reopen schools for classes 9 to 12 on June 15. Some other states are considering the odd-even formula, which will ensure the presence of 50 per cent of students on campuses on any given day, as suggested by the National Council of Education, Research and Training.

SOCIAL DISTANCING MEASURES IN SCHOOLS

Conducting temperature checks, keeping windows open, spacing desks 6 feet apart, resuming classes for students of a certain age, plastic table-top desk partition, ‘proper’ disinfection, strict hygiene, no morning assemblies, no sports, daily twice cleaning of toilets, wearing masks/ face shields are some of the social distancing measures adopted in schools already reopened across the globe and to be implemented in the schools readying to reopen. But the question still persists: will these measures suffice? Can these measures stop the surge? Will these measures be sufficient for building confidence in parents to leave their wards to school? “The situation is quite grim. If need be, we will keep our daughter for a year at home till it is completely safe for her to go to school,” said Sarat Mishra, a Bhubaneswar-based businessman. Added his wife Arpita: “I do not think social distancing can be practised by children of my daughter’s age (8). Do they even understand the meaning of the term? She will immediately rush to hug her friends after not seeing them for months. So will many of her friends! I do not think it is worth putting her at risk. School can wait.”

HIGHER EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS IN INDIA

Many higher education institutions in India are planning to resume academic session in August or September, in tune with a directive from the University Grants Commission (UGC). However, some educational institutions in Odisha have reopened since May 20. Reportedly, in some universities, examination schedules beginning June last week have been circulated. How safe is it to open the institutes without measures like sanitization of academic buildings, hostels, cleaning of toilets and other new sitting arrangements to meet social distancing norms? Some staff are removing masks after reaching their places of work while many are casual about social distancing. In such circumstances, the safety of other staff is being jeopardized. Is it necessary to reopen educational institutions only for staff when the session will commence in August? Can there be strict adherence to sanitization guidelines framed by the state and central governments and adequate measures to monitor if these are being followed?

WHAT CAN BE A PLAUSIBLE SOLUTION

The contention of education ministers of different states is that there is inadequate digital penetration in rural areas. To make online education effective, teachers have to receive formal training through webinars about detailed online means of teaching. It should be made mandatory in all states. The state governments should seriously consider providing students (of schools and higher education institutions) in rural areas high-speed internet and laptops, instead of forcing them to come from their villages to attend classes in a different city, without ascertaining their safety and risking those who might come in contact with them. Some parents complain about their wards not having enough patience to sit in front of computers or mobile phones for classes. But, how is it that kids are addicted to video games? A gradual orientation of parents and teachers can make online education a reality. Regular video lectures and audio lectures can be recorded and uploaded on websites from where they can download and watch even if when they are offline and do not have proper internet access. Walking with an amputated leg is better than no legs. Trying to make the most of technology is better at this point in time than to crib about it. States should think twice before reopening schools, colleges and universities. Is it worth risking so many lives? Better to be safe than sorry.