Let schools open

Context: Schools remains shut while many other activities are being allowed, will have a long-term implication on the learning of students.

Reasons for schools remaining closed during the COVID-19 Pandemic

• Threat of resurging virus: Various states have attempted to reopen schools, with limited successes.
• Treatment as a non-essential activity: Schools remains shut while activities like big rallies, protests, social and religious festivities etc. are being held.
• Failed attempts of reopening in many countries: E.g. Increase in infection numbers in U.K and Germany due to reopening of schools.
• Logistical factors: It is difficult to safeguard against the spread of the infection because the average distance travelled by a student and the density of student population in any school are high.

A case for reopening the schools

• Keeping schools closed will have adverse effects on long-run development and growth.
• Schools are running successfully in many countries:
  • E.g. Denmark and Norway opened schools early in April/May in a staggered manner — this didn’t lead to a second or third wave of infection.
  • Schooling as an essential activity: was realised by countries like the U.K and they choose to keep schools open rather than other non-essential activities during their 2nd nationwide lockdown.
• Increasing infection numbers is not unique to school reopening: other activities are also involved.

Way forward: for improving the school system in India

• Address the logistical issues.
• More decentralisation both in terms of governance and planning: g. during the lockdowns, Local councils or districts should have the power to close or open the schools according to local requirements.
• Schools should reassess the needs of their pupils.
• Change the teaching methods: India is predominantly using the Vertical Method, where the teacher lectures and students take notes and ask questions.
  • There should be a change towards Horizontal Method where students work in groups and ask questions to each other and the teacher.
  • In societies where the horizontal method is predominant, generalised levels of trust in the society are likely to be higher and has a sizeable impact on the social capital of students.

Conclusion: Treating schools as part of essential services is important for long-run development and growth.