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Why Reopening Educational Institutions Can Be Harmful During COVID-19
As India prepares for the potential third wave of COVID-19, reopening schools and colleges may pose significant risks, especially to children. Despite public criticism of students opposing school reopening, the real concern is whether educational institutions are truly prepared to safeguard students and staff from the virus.
The Reality of COVID-19 and Schools
School reopening should not happen until strict COVID-19 protocols are implemented. While vaccination drives are ongoing in India, the sheer size of the population makes it impossible to vaccinate everyone immediately.
Currently, vaccines for children are not approved, and most vaccine companies have not yet conducted trials in India. Only one company has initiated trials for children. This makes it crucial for all school staff to be fully vaccinated before reopening.
Vaccination of Teachers and Staff
The government should make it mandatory for all teachers, mentors, and professors to be vaccinated. Ideally, schools should ensure staff vaccination at their own expense or through teacher contributions if necessary. Parents should verify whether the educational institution has fully vaccinated staff before sending their children.
If the school has not ensured full vaccination:
- Parents can submit an application to the institution.
- Applications can be signed individually or by a group of at least 250 parents (or 35% of students’ parents).
Relying solely on promises of social distancing, regular sanitization, and mask-wearing is not enough, especially in classrooms with 50+ students or multiple teachers per class.
The Threat of the Third Wave
The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned that the third wave of COVID-19 could be deadlier and is likely to affect children. Estimates suggest daily infections could reach 5–7 lakh people per day during the peak of the third wave.
New variants, such as the Delta Variant and Delta Plus (Nepal Variant), are spreading rapidly. While India has not yet recorded deaths from Delta Plus, there is concern that it could bypass immunity and the effectiveness of existing vaccines is still under trial.
Parents living abroad or NRIs might have the option to vaccinate children in foreign countries, but for most families in India, safety precautions at school remain crucial.
Safety Measures for Schools
If schools decide to reopen, strict measures must be in place:
- Social distancing must be maintained at all times.
- Schools should initially open only for classes 9 to 12.
- A 50-50 attendance model should be adopted to reduce crowding.
- Daily sanitization of classrooms and common areas is essential.
- Sharing of stationery, books, and other items should be restricted.
- No gatherings, functions, or group games should be allowed.
- All staff members must be vaccinated or provide a negative COVID-19 test if unvaccinated.
- Wearing masks must be mandatory for all students and staff.
- Recess and lunch should follow strict guidelines to avoid crowding.
Schools must prioritize safety over convenience. The health of children should always come first.
Conclusion
Reopening schools without ensuring vaccinated staff and strict COVID-19 protocols is highly risky. Parents must stay vigilant, demand accountability from educational institutions, and advocate for safe learning environments during the ongoing pandemic.
Additionally, while focusing on student safety, parents can also consider exploring online courses for skill enhancement, such as SEO Mafia Course Free Download, to make productive use of time during remote learning phases.
