Kerala Education Minister V Sivankutty’s words in the Assembly the other day brought smile on the face of children who are fighting boredom due to Covid-induced restrictions.
Completing vaccination for children is the first step towards reopening schools. Vaccination of children under 18 has not yet begun. There is only a hint that it may start soon.
Given the crisis over vaccine availability, it is not possible to say when children will be vaccinated in a timely manner. If the vaccine can be given to children as a matter of priority, schools can be reopened in phases as the government wants. Efforts should be made to intensify the process.

Digital classes help children to some extent. And there are a lot of drawbacks. Surveys show that 10% of children still lack digital learning devices. Continuous digital learning has also been found to be physically and mentally debilitating for children. The challenge in the current environment is to create the conditions for schools and colleges to open as soon as possible.

Steps have been taken to open schools in many parts of the country, including neighbouring states. Classes have started from ninth standard in some places. This was due to the fact that the Covid spread was significantly controlled. The situation in Kerala is not conducive yet. The state is still forefront in the spread of the disease. Schools can only be reopened without fear if the disease rate is brought under control and the majority of immunizations are reached. In the current situation, we still have to wait for that. However, preparations and planning for it can begin now. High School classes can be opened first. If the same class is scheduled in two or three batches depending on the number of students, the classes can be conducted in keeping with social distancing norms. Digital learning can continue with this.
Lessons like Science, Mathematics and English have to be learned directly so classes should be opened for them first. Decisions should be made taking into account the views and suggestions of experts in the field of education.

The Center is of the view that the states can decide independently on the issue of reopening a school. Child health should be a major consideration. Some states have adopted the practice of opening schools in areas with the lowest prevalence of the disease. Outbreaks appear to be exacerbated in all districts and efforts are being made to secure them.

Steps should be taken to address the issues and challenges facing online learning. Thirty-five percent of schoolchildren suffer from health problems due to online study. In addition to this, there are atrocities committed by anti-socials by infiltrating into online classes. This has become an area that requires the constant intervention of the cyber unit of the police.

Steps should now be taken to ensure that children are vaccinated. The news was that the experiment was complete. So you can rest assured that you will not have to wait too long.