Clamour for school reopening grows among parents and teachers but some still wary – Times of India

Several parents’ forums have argued that away from the classroom for almost two years, many students — particularly those from financially disadvantaged backgrounds and without access to online teaching mode — have not learnt much in the past 22 months, prompting concern on whether they will ever be able to make up for the lost learning in the formative years.

The High Court is also hearing a PIL on the issue.
Several heads of institutions and teachers are also in favour of school reopening as they are finding it difficult to solve students’ problems remotely.

The West Bengal Academy of Paediatrics in a letter to CM Mamata Banerjee has also favoured reopening. The letter read, “We have now a large amount of clinical data available that indicates that Covid infections are relatively mild in children, with less than 2.5-3% of affected children being severely affected. Case fatality rate in Bengal is 0.08% of all infected children in the age group of 0-15 years, as per the state health bulletin. Research in children has found that in-person learning by opening schools does not increase baseline hospitalisation rate. Multiple studies have shown that transmission within school settings is typically lower than or at least similar to level of community transmission, when preventive strategies are in place in school.”

The education department has also decided to experiment with an open air classroom in neighbourhoods to wean back kids who have dropped out of the formal education system due to the prolonged time of staying away from school.

“We want schools to reopen immediately maintaining all Covid guidelines,” said Supriyo Bhattacharya, a member of the United Guardians’ Association, a loosely strung body of parents of private schools affiliated to different boards.

“My child is a Class-IV student of a private school. I have noticed many behavioural changes in him in the last two years. I’m really worried about their mental health because this is not a solution,” said Sukanta Sikdar, a guardian.

A few parents, however, remain sceptical. “I want to send my child to school. But what if he contracts Covid and something happens? I will never be able to forgive myself,” said Saheli Mitra, mother of a Class-VI student.

“Online classes can never be an alternative to physical interactions, especially for analysis, scientific reactions, mathematical problems etc. Inclusive learning is impossible in online studies,” said Uttarpara Government High School science teacher Saugata Basu.

“Our teachers have been trying so many ways to make online classes more interesting. But it is still nowhere close to a physical class with students present before the teacher,” said Delhi Public School New Town principal Sonali Sen.

Future Foundation School principal Ranjan Mitter agreed. “It’s not just learning gap. Students are facing health, psychological and social issues that may cause long-term damage.”