After the Central Government announced that the students from Class IX to class XII can attend the classes from September 21 with the written permission of their parents, most of the parents are still hesitant to send their children to school amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
According to them, this is the time when about a thousand people are being tested positive for Covid-19 daily whereas many patients are dying every day and during such critical times, they cannot risk the lives of their children.
“The numbers of Covid patients are at peak these days in the State and I cannot send my children to school to study among several other kids and teachers. We have older members in our family and by sending our children to school we will be putting their lives at risk too. We cannot trust every child to be cautious enough to maintain distance from others in school,” said Rituja Pant, a resident of Rudrapur.
However, some parents opined that it would be all right to send children, especially the students of board classes to school occasionally for seeking help in some subjects.
“Both my children are in board classes and have science subjects and their practical exams require going to school labs to experiment and learn. As a teacher, I understand that a student needs an ambiance to study and practice, so I will not refuse my kids if they want to go for their practical classes,” stated Meenakshi Vishwakarma, a Dehradun resident.
Another parent, Jeevan Negi from Rishikesh said parents should send their children to schools considering their queries regarding the subjects of their respective classes. “In my opinion, parents should permit children to go to school at least once a week so that they do not get so comfortable at home. It is so because when they will have to return to school after some time, they will perhaps have to face trouble in adjusting to the physical interaction in school with teachers and other students. My own children do not want to attend schools because they like their classes at home where they feel that they are not compelled to interact with their teachers or completely answerable to them. I have seen students switching off their screen when teachers query about their homework or ask a difficult question. When the teacher asks about it the next day, the students make excuses like their internet signal was weak or their battery died. Most of the teachers know that students are lying but they are aware that they do not have many options right now.”
He added that due to such reasons, he will send his children to school at least once or twice a week so that they remember how it feels to study in school with teachers among other students.
Meanwhile, most of the students of the private schools are not too keen to join schools too. According to a Class X student, Anjali Sharma, she is doing well in her studies at her home than the schools. She said, “We have to go to tuition classes for subjects like science and maths irrespective of our school joining status after Covid-19 pandemic. At least for the last few months, the schedule for studies is not hectic. We attend e-classes till 1 PM at our home without heavy bags and after that, we go for tuitions nearby. I might go once or twice a month to visit school but it is not a necessity for me right now.”