The Odisha Government looks to be dilly-dallying on reopening schools even as the students are under stress and uncertain about their academic life.
The State Government needs some time to take a decision on reopening of schools by considering different parameters as well as assessing the prevailing Covid- 19 situation. For last nine months our entire education system has been paralysed. Globally many countries have experimented to reopen the educational institutions. Most of the countries have failed and a few are successful in continuing their academic institutions. The reason behind the failure to reopen the educational institutions is rising Covid 19 cases. Countries adopt virtual remote learning method to fill the academic gap created by the pandemic.
The debate to reopen the school does not confine itself to students and sanitized campus or the decision of local administration. It has another facet, ie, shortage of staff.
A study in Spain reveals that there is no direct relationship between reopening of schools and its contribution to the spread of Covid cases. Markets, gyms, malls and temples are very prone areas which contribute to spreading of Covid-19 cases. Schools can reopen if they are not contributing to transmission of the virus.In Odisha most of tribal areas are less affected by the Coronavirus. The Government can think to reopen the schools in tribal areas where Covid cases are less or zero.
The Government has stated that there is a need of standard operating procedure (SOP) to run schools under Covid 19 threat. This SOP must be introduced to all schools. Along with SOP , the preparatory plans and report from all schools including Government and private schools should be assessed properly.
As per the World Health Organisation (WHO), reopening of schools is never a Government decision only. It must be a combination of different levels of decision making such as national, local and school level. The decision making should be followed by an approach, which must be designed by students, parents, caregivers, teachers and any other stakeholders. Perpetuated closures of schools are a threat to children’s education, mental health and overall well-being. Many academicians opined to adopt the hybrid version of learning to answer the current academic crisis.
Many health experts suggest following the health and safety measures while reopening the schools. Further, it is also suggested that schools should be reopened with tight restrictions such as use of sanitizer, use of masks, social distancing, parents’ consent and Covid test report.
The WHO gives 38 action plans to reopen schools during this pandemic. Out of these action plans, 21 action plans are focused on school level measures. So for WHO reopening of schools totally depends upon the school’s approach.It is reported that in a country like India, there are 290 million school going children who are faced with the treat of infection in case the schools are opened. Six million children are out of schools and most of them are girls. Future of the dropouts and particularly girls’ education seems to be very bleak in India.
The ASER annual status of education report is a yearly report in India which presents the children’s schooling status and basic learning level for each State and rural district in India. The report says due to the prevailing pandemic, many young children aged between 6 years and 10 years have not joined school.
In addition, there is a high trend in out-of-school children for this age group. As per the ASER report, the out of school ratio has gone up from 1.8 percent in 2018 to 5.3 percent in 2020. Further, for all children up to 16 years it has gone up from 4 per cent to 5.5 per cent. Apart from drop outs, schools are facing the challenges of fresh admission. There are two reasons, first, due to pandemic schools were closed and second, parents were reluctant enough to send their children to schools out of virus fear.
The introduction of the National Education Policy is expected to create a revolutionary change in education system. The main focus of the NEP is early education. By considering this, delay of reopening of school will give a setback to its agenda. The Government must come with certain concrete ideas to start the schools. The extensive disruptions and different protocols are confusing.
(The writer is Assistant Professor, Sophitorium Group of Institutions, Khordha, Mob: 8456879522)