Start school It is nearly 5 months after Covid-19 Pandemic, that institutions are shut. The students are being reached out on line. Can the small screen hold the span of attention of students from classes below Std X.IN the class and under watchful eyes of the teacher, it has always been a challenge to hold their attention from distractions and concentrations .How this exercise will be operative in the absence of direct supervision of either teacher or ill equipped parents? Besides many do not possess android phones, and costs of eratic net connectivity , so also the disruptive electricity supply. Hence the approach thro this medium, is perhaps filling only a void created by circumstances to give a sense of satisfaction that best is being done at the moment. I hear of tremendous pressure and stress in adjusting to online preparation with least centralized facilities. At best it can keep both teachers and students occupied and prevent boredom and idleness. It may perhaps work with students Std X and beyond. The idea to restart the school is fraught with dangerous health consequences. The social distancing in schools with numbers ranging from 40 plus in a class is a real challenge, because the playful nature of children and socialization relationship will be daunting task to manage. Is it possible to students to wear masks for close to 5 hours a day in schools, not including the time of arrival and departures? What about availability of quality, disposal and cost of face masks. ? Will the schools make provisions for those who cannot afford this luxury? Is the old method of chalk and board continue or is there provision of electronic media as non-contact approach? Task. Besides it is being rumoured that children are normally asymptomatic and are carriers of virus. They may easily transmit it to elders at home. There indications that staff of some school, who strictly practice social distancing, wearing masks are infected, but the news is kept under raps
The parents concerns are how to deal with them at home. specially those that are gainfully employed and are least prepared to assume this responsibility in addition to their normal, daily routine .Schools are shut but schools are opened in every house. It can lead to wide spread infections, which are on the rise in our State. Many are coming from economically deprived communities, whose living conditions and hygiene are appalling The biggest concerns is of loss of academic year, when 4 months have already elapsed. The moot question is whether life is more important than studies, Illness often has postponed studies. Loss of one year under circumstances is not a big bargain, but health, safety and life is .Hence excessive worry and anxiety have to be carefully balanced with life, safety and health concerns , Besides the Govt. is ill prepared to handle the rising cases of infections and mortality and it will be a worst case scenario of multitudes of students have to face this ordeal . Our priorities in opening institutions, especially at high schools levels must be seriously weighed in terms of our readiness to handle Nelson Lopes Chinchinim
