Maharashtra: Parents, schools divided over resuming offline classes from August 17

The janitorial staff at DG Khetan International School has been cleaning and santising the premises regularly through the lockdowns

Even as Maharashtra School Education Minister Varsha Gaikwad has proposed reopening of schools from August 17, stakeholders say a blanket decision would be difficult to implement in the current scenario. Both, school authorities and parents are divided on the issue. Rohan Bhat, Chairman of the Children's Academy Group of Schools said that schools will have to reopen phase-wise. "We can't delay this fearing that the situation will get worse."

Echoing his sentiment, Kavita Agarwal, Director of DG Khetan International School and Chairperson of Members of International School Association (MISA), said, "All schools are ready with Covid protocols. Though the online format is working smoothly, it is important for children to get back to traditional schooling, as their emotional wellbeing is at stake. The only issue for us is how teachers [and other staff] will commute."

Many feel that the government should reopen schools only on an experimental basis. "Instead of a blanket decision to reopen schools across the state, authorities should look at options of rolling out the new plan in areas where there is less danger," said Pandurang Kengar, spokesperson for the Mumbai School Principals Association, an umbrella body for many private and budget schools.

Anubha Shrivastava, Pandurang Kengar

Highlighting an incident from a Solapur school, where over 600 children tested positive for Covid-19 when the school reopened last month, Anubha Shrivastava from India Wide Parents Association (IWPA) said, "What we are questioning is this hurry to open schools. Vaccination is available for all above 18, which includes the category of college-going youngsters. Yet, there is no talk of reopening colleges. And we still don't have a vaccine for children, but the education minister is insisting on opening schools. What's the reason behind this?"

Many parents feel that schools should integrate offline-online learning. "Those parents who are willing to send their children can begin offline class, while others can learn online, until they are confident about going back to a physical classroom. Currently, the online mode of learning is not holistic," said Arvind Tiwari, a parent, adding that the government should have localised directives on reopening of schools.

Francis Joseph, President of SLN Global Network of schools, said that parents' anxiety regarding infections cannot be completely ignored . "Why not begin with short duration co-curricular activities in batches across schools? This way, students, parents and even schools can ease their way into the new normal."

Mumbai schools may have to wait

The new proposal is for reopening of Classes V to VIII, as Classes IX-XII have already reopened in parts of Maharashtra. If approved, it will only be applicable for Covid-free zones, and not for cities such as Mumbai and Pune. A senior official from the School Education department of the Mantralaya, on condition of anonymity said, "The proposal has been submitted to the CMO for a final nod. But considering the nature of the proposal, only rural areas or municipality zones, where there have not been no cases for some time, will be allowed to reopen."