Amid significant improvement of the Covid situation in Jammu and Kashmir, Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha, called for working out a plan to open educational institutions in a “staggered manner.”
In the recent past, the covid-19 numbers are declining, although the pandemic is far from over. The all-round general improvement in the pandemic situation has thus encouraged the administration to gradually ease curbs imposed during the third wave. Weekend curfew has been lifted across Jammu and Kashmir.
The scenario looks for more opening up especially the educational institutions. The schools have remained closed in Jammu and Kashmir, more than in any part of India or globe. While the pandemic forced the closure of educational institutions in mid-March in 2020 when the virus was declared a pandemic around the world, the schools, colleges and universities had reopened after seven-month closure in the wake of the revocation of Article 370 in August 2019.
Even when reopened, attendance at educational institutions remained voluntary as the guidelines by the government of India specify that parents can decide what their wards should do. Most parents gave consent and school resumption seemed uninterrupted until covid-19 announced an unpleasant return.
Since then though, the situation has improved considerably. Following protocols such as masking, and proper ventilation can allow schools to reopen since prolonged closure has affected children adversely.
Educationists and NGOs are voicing similar concerns on various platforms. Concerns galore on far-reaching and deadly implications on the future of youngsters. All this has naturally added to the concern of the people and authorities to reopen schools.
Online education can never replace offline education and this fact stands proved beyond doubt. The excessive caution is now harming students and as such efforts must be done to reopen the schools. Vaccination should be ensured to all eligible.
Lieutenant Governor rightly asked the district administrations to ensure an enabling environment for schools for reopening, cleaning and sanitation, transportation, flexible and staggered timings for students with the help of school education authorities.
He said there will be flexibility in attendance and consent of parents or guardians will be obtained, as per the guidelines issued by the Centre. Students willing to study from home with the consent of parents will be allowed to do so, the Lt Governor said. He als rightly emphasized that the vaccination is a critical tool to help stop the Covid pandemic. The government needs to create awareness and boost confidence among the people, especially among the parents of the eligible children, to get vaccinated.
