Let schools open

The Indian Express     18th December 2020     Save    

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.