Open House: Should the Punjab Government allow opening of schools and colleges after the winter vacation?

No substitute to offline studies

I study In Class XII at Apeejay School, Rama Mandi. The government should allow opening of schools after winter vacation because the online mode cannot replace offline studying. Offline studying, peer-to-peer learning is the best way to get education. Children have been impacted greatly by the closure of schools for more than one and a half years and are only now seeing some normalcy so I don’t think schools should be closed now. For higher classes, school years are really precious and important and getting online study in these years will not properly help. However, if the Omicron variant is really dangerous, this decision can be taken for everyone’s safety but if it is not much dangerous than offline schooling should continue functioning with stricter Covid-19 protocols in place.

Rimplepreet Kaur Patara

Closing schools again can be disastrous

Successive Covid-19 waves have haunted the people. The new variant Omicorn is a matter of concern, the public health experts and scientists are working hard to gauge it. Closing schools and colleges should be the last option as it would be disastrous for children. Constant closing and opening of schools and colleges had an effect on mental health of children. If the schools and colleges are closed, children are deprived of opportunities of growth and development. They don’t get free meal provided at school. Tough time for teachers who are also feeling confused to make connections with the students and over burden for parents who are not very literate and cope with their children. School and colleges should be closed but what about the election rallies where a huge number of people gather and there is a high risk of infection. Being fully vaccinated, practicing social distancing, wearing masks, hand washing and sanitising to keep the transmission of disease lower, should be a regular practice.

SHASHI KIRAN

Step up vaccination for students

Under the prevailing scenario, the safety is paramount but educational institutions cannot be closed indefinitely in the interest of overall development of students. However, as safeguard measures, inoculation drive has to given top priority among students. Amid strict compliance of Covid norms, all the teachers and taught be jabbed as a prerequisite to resume physical classes at schools and colleges. More so, in the wake of the 3rd wave of pandemic by experts and epidemiologists, our earnest attention should be focussed on expeditious vaccination of everyone, including children as the vaccine has been tested to be safe among lower age groups, as well. Further, hygiene and avoiding undue social mixing must be ensured. All along, saving human lives is our prime objective while efforts be continued to bring back normalcy in routine curriculum!

Nirmaljit Singh Chatrath

Can’t take the new variant lightly

During the outbreak of the deadly Covid wave, lockdown and stringent protocols were enforced to save the human lives. Various businesses and industrial enterprises had to face the ordeal. Academic curriculum was badly affected as the schools and colleges were also shut to prevent contagion amongst students. Consequently, the classroom studies suffered a lot and the only online teaching, to the extent possible, was carried as a stop-gap arrangement. Later, as the situation improved, educational institutions were allowed to open on the strict compliance of Covid-19 norms. Now, as the schools are to reopen after the ongoing winter vacations, a recent spurt in cases has caused serious compulsions once again. While the virulent Delta variant is still prevalent, emergence of a fast spreading new variant Omicron (B 1.1.529) across many countries of the world cannot be taken lightly. It has appeared in our country too and there is a surge in its cases in many states.

Nirmaljit Singh Chatrath

Acclimatise to the new normal

As we know that there has been a sudden surge in the cases of Covid -19 and it’s Omicron variant. There is a risk for the school and college going students. I myself being a school going student feel that the schools should not be closed if the whole staff is vaccinated and also as long as the students follow SMS protocol (Sanitise Mask Social Distancing). Also, learning physically is better than online as they increase the motoring skills of a student which further help in their development. And now for the college students, suppose there is a GATE exam, how would the college students give such a high level exam through an online platform? The students are also technologically advanced and the teachers are sometimes not vigilant enough to catch them. It is us who will make a difference. Children have the maximum immunity among all age groups. Therefore, in the end I would like to say that it is us who have to acclimatise to the current conditions so that everyone stays happy and safe.

Sanidhya Bhaskar

Should revert to online mode

Omicron, the latest fastest spreading variant of Covid-19, has already knocked our doors and the state governments have started implementing a slew of measures to contain it. The most vulnerable are the adults who are yet to be vaccinated with both the doses and those non-adults who could not be covered due to the non-availability of vaccines. Given these facts, it is imperative that students who fall under the latter category, are fully protected from the fresh onslaught of deadly virus. It is, therefore, urgently required that all the schools and other educational institutions are kept closed even after the winter vacations are over. Under the present circumstances, there is no other safe alternative available except to close them till the situation warrants review at the later stage. Past experience indicates that the adoption of online modes of education was successful to a great extent and the same can now be considered with lessons learnt over the period. Normal periodical classes can be managed with the enforcement of basic conditions of Covid-appropriate behavior and maintenance of strict discipline at all levels.

JAGDISH CHANDER

Restrictions should be back in place

In the wake of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, the emergence of its new Omicron variant has sparked fresh concerns. While the Centre has directed states to improve testing and vaccination, many state governments have taken certain measures such as imposing night curfew, keeping an eye on people returning from high-risk countries, banning entry to crowded and congested public places, and so on. Likewise, our educationists, academicians and policymakers are confronted with the predicament of opening schools and colleges. But a majority of parents emphasise the need to reopen educational institutions as their wards’ study has already suffered too much during the national lockdown and even later. Keeping in view that even the UK government has not ruled out the possibility of shutting schools in the prevailing situation, it will be prudent to act accordingly. A large number of school managements are not properly equipped to follow the mandatory health and safety precautions such as face masking, social and physical distancing, and hand hygiene. There is every possibility that it will increase the vulnerability of children as they are still unvaccinated. Learning lessons from South Africa where hospitalisations among children are increasing, the government should keep the schools shut till the battle against the novel coronavirus is ultimately won.

D S Kang

Who will ensure Compliance in schools?

Amid the rising cases of the new Covid variant Omicron, our politicians are adamant to hold rallies and conduct the ensuing state Assembly elections. The Centre is reluctant to impose a new lockdown and shut economic activities, and has asked the state governments to encourage companies and factories to adopt flexible working hours. Many parents favour that schools and colleges should also be fully reopened because the disruption of normal academic schedule during lockdown and the alternative mode of online teaching have not only impacted the study of their wards but also their physical, mental and social development. They fear that this learning loss of the younger generation may prove dangerous and counterproductive to the development of the country. They also want that the administration and school authorities should follow the standard precautions and the local administration should tighten epidemic prevention and control measures. They concur with the opinion of scientists and medical experts that children have natural immunity. Moreover, even the Prime Minister has given a nod to booster dose and vaccine for children. So far, so good. But the question is: will the school administration be able to ensure Covid-appropriate behaviour in the campus? The answer lies in the fact that many students caught the deadly infection when the schools were reopened after the lockdown. It should not be overlooked that the virus has not yet been eradicated despite multiple administrative efforts. Who can deny that the safety of students is more important than their academic pursuits? Therefore, the government should desist from permitting schools and colleges to reopen after the winter break.

Simran & Tajpreet S Kang

Adhere to the protocol strictly

‘Prevention is better than cure’. The night curfew has been imposed in various districts / States from 11 pm to 5 am. In the Western countries, Omicron is increasing day by day. These countries are strictly vaccinating their residents with the booster dose and even world’s renowned Pfizer Company USA has manufactured its medicine as a cure to Omicron. Our Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced vaccination for the youth below 18 years of age and similarly a booster dose from January 10 onwards for those above 60 years. The question arises whether schools, colleges should be opened after winter vacations. The administration knows better and can decide at length about how dangerous the new variant is. Can it be more be dangerous for people who have been vaccinated? The government should once again strictly advise the masses to adopt and order protocol for the prevention from Omicron by using sanitisers, wearing masks, keeping social distancing and strictly following restrictions to stay safe from the new variant.

RAJAT KUMAR MOHINDRU

Open schools after winter ends

It’s time for winter break in schools. Covid-19 and Omicron are spreading their tentacles all around the world. So, the schools should not be opened even after the winter break as children are more susceptible to infections than adults. The immunity of the children to virus is less active and effective than the adult population. During these times of crisis, life is more important than education. The viruses are very active during the winter months. It is reminiscent of the flu which caused millions of deaths worldwide in the early twentieth century. When the virus abates or subsides, the schools can be opened again. Till then, the only solution is online classes. Previously also, during the pandemic earlier in this year, the schools were closed and only online classes were being implemented. Parents of the students would also agree and give their consent for the same.

Dr JS Wadhwa

QUESTION

The recent bomb blast at the District Courts Complex in Ludhiana has raised concern over public safety. With the Assembly poll just round the corner, maintaining law and order has become a major issue again. What should be done to avert such terror strikes and ensure safety and security of the public at large?

Suggestions in not more than 200 words can be sent to [email protected] by Thursday (January 6)

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