Kottayam: Arrangements are in full swing to welcome back students as schools in Kerala are reopening on 14 February. Full-day classes as a single batch, just like in the pre-Covid days, is likely to begin from 28 February onwards. However, all precautions conforming to general guidelines on COVID-19 would have to be taken by all involved.
Teachers are hopeful that academics would be back to normal after a long break of nearly two years. (Schools had reopened briefly late last year, only to be shut again with the advent of the third pandemic wave.)
However, some parents are sceptical about sending their kids to school just for a month of classes, before the summer holidays begin.
The exams will begin in the third week of March. So, even if the schools reopen now, the classes could be held for hardly a month.
Hygiene, facilities
The educational department has instructed the school authorities and the Parent-Teacher Associations to clean the school and its premises. Sanitizers and masks should be made available. Water tanks and washrooms need to be clean and hygienic.
Cleaning and sanitizing have begun at many schools. Anju Mohan, the headmistress of CKMUP School, Nattakam, hoped that the cleaning of classrooms and washrooms would be completed by next Monday.
“The weeds on the plot have been cleared. The classrooms have been cleaned and sanitized. The fans in the classrooms too have been repaired,” said N Satheesan, the headmaster of Government Boys School, Vaikom.
The engineering department of the local governing bodies would inspect the fitness of the buildings. Many schools are facing shortage of drinking water facilities due to drought.
Physical distancing
It will be quite a challenge to ensure proper physical distancing between students of smaller classes. In many schools, special meetings were convened for parents and teachers to discuss such matters.
“Uniform isn’t compulsory. The students would be admitted into the classrooms after checking their body temperatures. If the kids are sick, then the parents shouldn’t send them to school,” said N Suja, Deputy Director of Education, Kottayam.
“There aren’t many who have contracted COVID-19 from schools. Everyone has the collective responsibility to keep themselves and others safe, when the schools reopen,” said Sajan Pullattu, parent of a student of St. Joseph’s UP School, Maniyamkunnu.
Academics prime
RC Kavita, the principal at Aravinda Mandiram Senior Secondary School, Pallickathode, hints about the learning gaps as the students have been away from schools for a long time. She said that it would be better if the students reach the school early to practise the various habits and SOPs that need to be observed to maintain a safe environment.
Meanwhile, some teachers are worried whether the students would take the in–person sessions seriously, as they have been accustomed to online learning for the last two years.
The authorities say that some parents are still sceptical about sending their kids to school. Fr Dr . Zacharia Ethirettu, Principal of Placid Vidya Vihar, Chethipuzha, expresses doubt whether it will be practical to conduct online sessions, from morning to evening, only for such students. He said that in –persons classes are vital for the overall development of the students, including character formation.
Fr Sabu Koodapattu, Principal of Chavara Public School, Pala, thinks that students would feel relieved and relaxed when they come to school.
“The sessions would be scheduled only after listening to the parents who have kids studying in lower classes. However, the school is ready for reopening,” said Benny George, President of the Sahodaya Schools, Kottayam.
“Even if the schools are reopened, the exams are around the corner. A few parents are scared to send their kids to school. However, many students haven’t achieved the learning goals as they do not attend in– person sessions,” said Fr James Mullassery, Kerala Region Secretary, Association of Schools for Indian School Certificate.
Commutation may pose a problem
In most places, students rely on public transport or their own vehicles to commute to school. However, commutation is difficult at places where public transportation facilities are meagre. School busses haven’t been functioning, on full scale, since the last two years. Meanwhile, the school managements are hopeful that the school buses could resume their regular trips once the classes begin in full swing.
“I have been running my family for the last 30 years by dropping kids at school. But, I haven’t taken out my van for the last two years,” Kaduthuruthy native Cyriac Kollaparambil, a school van owner, opened up.
Suresh Attichira, who has worked as a school bus driver, revealed that many who had been working in this sector had moved to other jobs.