S. Vishnu Sharma
School reopening has now become the talk of the town across the country. With indications of situation turning normal, the focus is on opening of educational institutions sooner or later.
With relaxations being provided and movement towards conducting school exams gaining vigour the news that the School reopening for this year is not far away is doing rounds currently.
School reopening 2020
It is known that educational institutions across the country went for a closure in school education and higher education segments more than two months ago.
The reason behind closure is the outbreak of corona virus which sent the entire nation into lockdown. With scope of normalcy returning back, talk about School reopening seems to be doing rounds, says P. Gopikrishnan, maths teacher for 10th standard.
It is also interesting to note that Union HRD Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank is said to have mentioned that the School reopening is likely to be after class 10 and 12 CBSE board examination.
Union Minister however reminded that School reopening will also be based on the situation prevailing after the completion of board exams.
Union Minister said that they are following the guidelines laid down by Union Home Ministry and Health Ministry.
Their advise will be taken into consideration also when the decision on School reopening is being made, said Union Minister.
As far as Sikkim is concerned the School reopening and starting of colleges will take place on 15 June. Sikkim Education Minister Kunga Nima Lepcha is said to have made this announcement in the past.
However, the Minister has mentioned that the guidelines related to COVID-19 will be followed. There will not be morning assembly in schools and this is done to keep up social distancing.
All other things needed to be done to maintain social distancing will also be done, said Sikkim Education Minister.
As far as Karnataka is concerned, the State Government is said to be considering School reopening in July. The talk that did rounds earlier was that the schools would be reopened during June.
School-reopening was supposed to be done in June in Karnataka if the lockdown did not go beyond 17 May.
As the lockdown got extended the plans to restart schools in Karnataka did not go as per the expectations.
On the other hand, sources say that not all parents are said to be taking the idea of Government of Karnataka to go for School reopening in July.
Also read ‘LEAD School, an online education company has brought out a handbook on handling school reopening‘
Starting schools now may not be safe as we are not ensured that problem free with regards to corona virus. The best thing to happen is to go for online education, said T.S. Ramamurthy, a parent.
Sources say, as far as Chandigarh is concerned, the Education Department there is said to have formed a committee to look into the prospects of government School reopening.
The committee is said to submit its report on 4 June. While many parents. As far as Tamil Nadu is concerned,
the private schools are said to have proposed that they would go for School reopening on 1 July. They have also suggested that classes could be conducted on alternative days to maintain social distancing.
The suggestion is while on one day classes could be conducted for LKG to Class 5 after School reopening. The same for Class 6 to Class 12 could be done on the second day.
However things seem to be unclear with regards to School reopening in Tamil Nadu. As for now, best thing one can do is to go for online education, suggests R.S. Muthuraman, physics teacher for class 12.
Many parents also agree that the learning will not be the same once School reopening takes place post lockdown end.
Sources also say Ministry of Home Affairs will take a decision with regards to reopening of schools and colleges in July. Views of all stakeholders will be taken into consideration before Ministry of Home Affairs takes a decision, say sources.