The Odisha Primary Teachers’ Association on Friday demanded that without any further delay the State Government should reopen the primary and upper primary schools. Even the ICMR has already said that children have more immunity as has been proved in sero-surveys.
The association also said that while the Government has taken a decision to reopen Classes-X and XII from next week, why should it not allow reopening of Classes-I to VIII? On the basis of recommendations of the ICMR, the primary and upper primary schools could be opened with proper sanitisation, mask wearing and vaccination, it said.
Association president Brahmananda Moharana said that as children of the poor and economically weaker sections are unable to afford the internet fees for online classes, classroom teaching is the only option left.
Moharana further added that as the primary education is the foundation for the students’ future, the Government should immediately start classroom teaching and open these schools in the larger interest of the children.