Mumbai parents to protest if school reopening is put off

They fear a delay as the authorities have issued no clear instructions yet; pressure to open schools for pre-primary section, too

Mumbai parents threatened to take to the streets if schools are not reopened for Stds I-VII students as scheduled on December 15. They fear a delay in the beginning of in-person classes on Wednesday amid the lack of clear instructions from the authorities. Meanwhile, a set of parents are running from pillar to post to include the pre-primary section in the list of classes reopening this week.

We are no activists, but simple parents. But, if the authorities do not pay heed to our concerns, we will have no option but to get on the streets to make our voice heard. Our kids are already away from schools for so long. Any more delay is only adding to the huge loss of growth that they are suffering. We are their parents and the decision should be ours. No one else can be more careful than us when it comes to their illness,” said Gayatri Shah, another parent from Mahalaxmi. Gayatri Shah said that they are waiting to get some clarity from the government. “We feel that this government is sensible and will take decisions in the welfare of children. But if it does not, our last resort would be to protest.”

Students at Swami Vivekanand Vidyalaya, Nehru Nagar. File pic/Sayyed Sameer Abedi

While several parents are leaving no stone unturned to ensure that schools reopen as announced, others are intensifying the movement so that their young children can begin school. A group of parents are constantly holding meetings with the authorities in the government to also restart the pre-primary section.

“Life beyond Covid-19 does not exist for my four-year-old. Children from this age group are more properly following the regulations than any teenager, because for them going outside means wearing a mask and sanitising hands. It is more natural to them. Moreover, their entire curriculum is based on in-person learning. They are becoming socially awkward and facing problems, like anxiety and lack of confidence,” said Moneshi Shah, a Lower Parel resident. Shah pointed out that paediatricians in September okayed reopening of schools for all children.

Another parent, Lajja Sanghvi Shah, a developmental psychologist by profession, said, “For a brain to grow at optimum level, in-person learning is the most important. And our children can go everywhere, but not to schools. This is causing real bad consequences on their development. It’s also affecting the mental health of parents who are facing burnout.” Shah, a Nepean Sea Road resident, added how schools were a safe place for children from dysfunctional families. “Now, with the campuses shut, children from such families are seen suffering more than ever, with no escape.”

A group of like-minded parents have come together to form a Mumbai Parents Association to hold continuous talks with the authorities regarding reopening of schools as well as to discuss guidelines. A parent, Gayatri Sabharwal, said, “Some of the points in the SOPs state: entire school has to shut if one Covid-positive case is detected; children should maintain a 6-feet distance; schools can’t hold any physical activities; schools should not be open for over 3-4 hours. Are we following such rules in other establishments where citizens are crowding with their kids? Why are there such strict restrictions only for schools? In fact more feasible guidelines can be prepared that would motivate schools to reopen more willingly.”

A group of parents have already met officials from the government to discuss the SOPs and are asking to also include the pre-primary section in the reopening plan. “While all efforts are being taken by parents, it is unfortunate to say that we will take to streets if the need to reopen schools is further ignored,” Sabharwal said. 

Dec 15
Day schools are scheduled to reopen for Std I-Std VII

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