30 September,2021 07:16 AM IST | Mumbai | Pallavi Smart
Class rooms at Hume High School, Byculla, been cleaned before the unlock was announced last year. Pic/Suresh Karkera
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) on Wednesday approved the reopening of schools in Mumbai for Std VIII to Std XII from October 4. Even as the decision was welcomed by all, most schools and junior colleges in the city said Monday is too soon to reopen. While schools have begun talking to parents, junior colleges want to wait and watch and parents have mixed reactions.
The BMC's education department issued a circular asking all schools to follow the guidelines provided in the Government Resolution (GR) issued last week. Even with the BMC nod in, schools and junior colleges are likely to take some time to reopen.
"We are eager to meet students and they want to get back to school life too. But there is no point in being hasty. Certain requirements, such as having a health clinic inside the school, are going to take time," said Kalyani Arumugam, principal, SIES school. The school, like many others in the city, conducted a poll to know if parents are willing to send their wards to school. "A total of 47 per cent of parents responded affirmatively but they have some doubts, starting from transportation to social distancing," she added.
Suggesting a plan of action, Francis Joseph, president, SLN Global Network, said, "Parents' anxiety cannot be denied. Schools should go ahead slowly with their plan - this will include talks with parents, not forcing any decision on them, and being ready with a hybrid mode of learning." Joseph also insisted that individual schools take time and take parents' consent.
Budget schools, on the other hand, are worried about providing the numerous facilities such as sanitisers, thermal guns, etc. They also have many of their students migrating to other places. "The government should support schools. Only 70 per cent of city teachers are vaccinated. The rest will need time to complete vaccination," said Jaywant Kulkarni, a teacher from Gandhi Bal Mandir in Kurla. Pandurang Kengar, spokesperson for School Principals' Association in Mumbai, said, "We welcome the decision but this will require time. We practically have just two days in hand."
Junior colleges have decided to wait and watch as travel for students will be a major issue as it is common for city colleges to have students from far-flung suburbs. Junior college students, who are ineligible for the vaccines, won't be able to travel in trains.
Principal of H R College, Dr Pooja Ramchandani, said, "In a few days, we will go for Diwali vacation. What is the point of starting for a few days in haste? We shall wait for clarity from parents and students as most want online studies to continue. Travel is a major concern for students staying far away, many are from outside Mumbai and there's no clarity on hostels." Dr Anna Nikalje, principal, Wilson College, said, "We have to be very careful. Even if we decide to begin, we will have to offer a hybrid mode for both online and offline students. This shall take time."
While according to many parents this is the wrong decision and they are not going to send their children to schools, for many others, it is a welcome move. "Our school will hold a meeting for parents to understand how many are willing to send their kids and accordingly a plan will be prepared," shared Prasad Tulaskar, a parent from Dadar. Pushpa Salvi, from Andheri, whose daughter is in Std X, said, "Many parents are willing to send their kids, especially those in board exam years. But we understand the importance of planning. Where we have waited so long, another week or so shouldn't be a problem."
However, the risk of the infection rising is still a concern for many others. "This could become a super-spreader. With colleges remaining closed, what is the hurry for schools to reopen?" said Anubha Shrivastava, from India Wide Parents Association.
