As the vaccination has achieved momentum and the majority of the adult population is getting vaccinated, life is coming back to normal all across the globe. Back to normal is not possible without schools and colleges being open and functioning. In India, students are back to schools with a strict adherence to COVID protocols except in some states like Kerala, where the positivity rate is still high.However, they will also follow the path of bringing life back to normal. It is expected that schools in Kerala will be open to students by November 2021. COVID-19 has brought about a new normal in education, that is the use of technology especially the online platforms for live classes and dependence on learning management systems (LMS). Even when students head back to schools, nobody expects that the relevance of online mode of teaching and learning will disappear completely. A blend of both will continue, harnessing the goodness of both.
Schools have taken extensive measures to make sure that students and parents feel comfortable and confident to come back to school, without fearing the pandemic. Still, parents and students are apprehensive and concerned. Some schools are yet to respond positively to the government’s call to reopen schools. This reluctance is backed by the cold response from parents and students. However, coming back to normal is the need of the hour. Life must go on.
Following are some tips for students, parents, teachers and schools to prepare themselves for this transition and come back to normalcy.
1. As always, use of masks, sanitizer and frequent hand washing are the mantras even at this point of time. Parents must make sure that students have enough masks and sanitizers with them. Students must make sure that they use it appropriately. Teachers must monitor and encourage students to use them as required. After vaccination use of mask, sanitizer and frequent hand wash are our weapons for the fight against COVID-19.
2. Schools have made appropriate arrangements to keep students at a distance from each other. However, social distancing is the most toughest measure to implement. Especially with students of very young age. It's not easy to keep them at a distance from their friends. Students must be properly educated and reminded about the need for keeping social distance. Teachers and parents must keep on monitoring and encourage students to follow appropriate behaviours. It has been directed that a distance of 5 feet shall be maintained between students. If each student has separate chair and table, keeping them at a distance will serve the purpose. If benches are being used, one student on a bench is the norm given to follow.
3. Less dependence on the public transport for students is preferred at the beginning of the unlock.This is the most prone area for spreading. Teachers and parents do not have much control over the behaviour of students while they commute to and fro school. However, the lack of public transport is a great challenge for working parents. They will have to make a lot of compromise to make sure that the students are attending classes physically.
4. Governments all across the globe have made vaccination their top priority. Adults above the age of 18 are vaccinated at least once. This is a great relief. Students under the age of 18 are yet to be vaccinated. Governments and departments concerned are working on this. It is expected that the vaccination for children above the age of two will commence from November 2021 in India. This will be a major milestone in the fight against the pandemic. Parents and students must be prepared to take vaccination as the drive begins. Schools are expected to play a major role in the vaccination of students.
5. Government has prepared and issued standard operating Procedure (SOP) for schools to follow while schools are open. That is a very extensive all inclusive document. Adherence to these guidelines will certainly reduce the risk of COVID-19 to a great extent.This direction has given enough flexibility for state governments and schools to make appropriate changes, considering the local specific requirements.
6. At this stage of unlocking, no students are compelled to go to school. Schools will continue to give online classes for those students. Also, students with illness of any sort shall not attend physical classes. Choosing online classes over the physical classes at the beginning of the unlock is a wise choice.
7. Additional learning supports such as private tuitions will also start offering physical classes. It is not advisable for students and parents to rush to have physical private tuition classes, considering the nature of the pandemic and the vulnerability of students who commute to and attend such classes. Private players may not take the necessary steps as directed in the SOP or they may not have facilities and monitoring systems to implement the SOP effectively. Moreover, online tuitions are highly effective and efficient these days, especially during and after the pandemic. students are getting all the benefits of attending physical classes and have the advantage of remaining at the safety of their home. Parents can also be relieved of the unnecessary pain and concern of keeping their wards safe.
We are eager to get back to the normalcy we are used to. However, rushing to such normalcy may backfire, especially in the education segment. Technology has proved to be a great help in education during the pandemic. We shall continue to use that advantage even when the pandemic ends.
LEAVE A REPLY
