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Here's why I think reopening of under-resourced schools will prove to be tricky in India. (thread)
1. Social distancing:
Average student size per classroom is generally 25-30, but can go as high as 45-50.
However, classrooms are of the size of a match box making physical distancing a joke.
Average student size per classroom is generally 25-30, but can go as high as 45-50.
However, classrooms are of the size of a match box making physical distancing a joke.
If students are split into smaller groups and some of them are taken to other areas such as hallways, outdoors etc,
- schools won't have enough teachers/volunteers to facilitate effective learning across all these groups
- there won't be enough infra facilities as well.
- schools won't have enough teachers/volunteers to facilitate effective learning across all these groups
- there won't be enough infra facilities as well.
Students from underprivileged communities bank on midday meals for nutrition. However, the serving and seating areas (generally close to playgrounds), if unregulated, can result in quick spread of the virus.
Food needs to be plated and served individually to reduce social mixing.
Food needs to be plated and served individually to reduce social mixing.
2. Santization
Most schools have 1-2 cleaners to do the bare minimum (considering the school size).
But, there won't be enough human resources to ensure sanitization of classrooms, bathrooms, contact surfaces and other areas on a frequent basis.
Most schools have 1-2 cleaners to do the bare minimum (considering the school size).
But, there won't be enough human resources to ensure sanitization of classrooms, bathrooms, contact surfaces and other areas on a frequent basis.
Being under-resourced, schools won't have funds for hand sanitisers, masks or hand washing stations.
Running water in all schools, a basic right, will turn into a luxury for students as we approach summer.
Running water in all schools, a basic right, will turn into a luxury for students as we approach summer.
3. Protocols for safety
Temperature scans are not feasible.
Separate areas to isolate children exhibiting covid symptoms need to be created. Procedures for transporting those children to health care facilities need to be established.
Temperature scans are not feasible.
Separate areas to isolate children exhibiting covid symptoms need to be created. Procedures for transporting those children to health care facilities need to be established.
Children (and teachers) with underlying health concerns should stay home. Other channels for learning should be created.
Who will take the onus for all these when the overall culture is not towards children's holistic development?
Also, what about understaffed schools?
Who will take the onus for all these when the overall culture is not towards children's holistic development?
Also, what about understaffed schools?
4. Staggered school timings
Most parents are daily wage workers. They may not be able to drop/pick up children, particularly the ones in elementary school, if the school timings conflict with their work timings. Even if they can, there is no guarantee for child safety.
Most parents are daily wage workers. They may not be able to drop/pick up children, particularly the ones in elementary school, if the school timings conflict with their work timings. Even if they can, there is no guarantee for child safety.
Given the already existing fear towards the virus, I'm afraid this will only lead to higher drop out rates.
Alternate day attendance is a possible option. But, it may not be effective in terms of bridging the learning gap that has been aggravated because of the pandemic.
I'm sure I've missed including other relevant points.
You can add on to this thread.
So, what is a viable solution to ensure children are safe AND children learn?
We can't let go of one for the other.
You can add on to this thread.
So, what is a viable solution to ensure children are safe AND children learn?
We can't let go of one for the other.
Thinking of my children today.
I wish their lives were a lot easier and simpler.
Alas!
This is what poverty does.
I wish their lives were a lot easier and simpler.
Alas!
This is what poverty does.
