Parents unwilling to send kids to schools: Chandigarh Education Department tells MHRD

Naina Mishra

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, July 23

In response to suggestions sought by the Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) from parents about reopening of schools, the UT Education Department has submitted that parents in the city are unwilling to send younger children to school.

However, parents whose wards are studying in Classes X and XII have given their consent to allow their children to be called to schools in small groups anytime between August 15 and 31.

On July 17, the Union Ministry had written to the education secretaries of all states seeking feedback of parents regarding reopening of schools. The ministry had asked the respective State Education Departments to tell the likely period when parents will be comfortable with reopening of schools – August, September or October? The states were asked to submit reply to the Union Ministry by July 20.

Rubinderjit Singh Brar, Director School Education, UT, said: “As we were running short of time, we asked school principals to take suggestions from parents rather than collating feedback from them individually. The parents suggested that they are unwilling to send younger children to school. However, parents have agreed that students of Classes X and XII can be called to schools in small groups by mid-August. We have also proposed to the Ministry of Home Affairs to start these classes by August 15. We will decide as per the Centre’’’’s directions.”

Arvinder Sharma, a parent, said: “Students below the age of 13 are more vulnerable to Covid-19. So, they should not be allowed to come to school. Their online classes are going on efficiently.”

Sanjay Verma, another parent, said: “Schools should be opened once the government gives an affidavit that Covid-19 is no more an epidemic and no student will get affected in the school.”

Parents of class x, xii students willing

• Parents whose wards are studying in Classes X and XII have given their consent to allow their children to be called to schools in small groups anytime between August 15 and 31.
• On July 17, the Union Ministry had written to the education secretaries of all states seeking feedback of parents regarding reopening of schools. The ministry had asked the respective State Education Departments to tell the likely period when parents will be comfortable with reopening of schools – August, September or October? The states were asked to submit reply to the Union Ministry by July 20.