For them, the home is school now

Gurnaaz Kaur

Children’s education has been one of the casualties of the pandemic. Remote teaching has been the new norm, as kids spend hours glued to their computers every day. While this is not normal, they are at least safe. So, as the HRD ministry seeks parents’ feedback on measures they expect in schools when they re-open, are the parents even ready to send their children? Celebrity parents, who have been homeschooling their children with the help of various schools, share their opinions.

Safety first 
Soha Ali Khan

My daughter has been going to Toddler’s Den, a play school, since she was 18 months. I am very happy with the school and how they adapted to help us keep the children engaged- through live sessions and weekly activities. At the moment, I am not willing to send my daughter anywhere and am just lucky that she is at an age where we can help her with learning at home.

Virtual learning 
Shilpa Shetty

Viaan is a student of American School of Bombay and has been taking virtual classes since the pandemic began. I am happy with that. I wouldn’t send my son to school, not for a couple of months at least.

Difficult for kids
Gippy Grewal

This time has been exceptionally harsh for kids. Sitting here in India, my kids were doing online classes based on Canada timing since they came here to visit me right before the lockdown and couldn’t go back. Their vacation is going on but I am not going send them to school till things are safe.

Tough situation
Sonu Sood

Considering the current situation, I think no parent will be willing to send their children to school. Online classes are fine for now. Kids are studying every day. But yes, nothing can match the feeling of going to a school. There are a lot of outdoor games, interaction with classmates and teachers, nothing can beat that. But for now, it doesn’t look safe.

Wait for the vaccine
Binnu Dhillon

If studies are not getting affected, we shouldn’t be in a hurry to send them to school, not at least till the vaccine is out. Kids are our future. It’s better to be safe than sorry. Right now, we can take precautions and save the future generation. I will never even consider sending mine to school.

A long wait
Juhi Parmar

I am not at all prepared to send my daughter, Samaira, to school till I am not sure that Covid-19 is completely over, like there is no case left. Or a vaccine is developed. I will only let her step out of the house without us when I am sure she is completely safe and that’s when I will send her to school.

Risky call
Karanvir Bohra

I do not think I can send my kids anywhere for a few months, not even to school because it’s risky. Kids don’t know what is social distancing. They are learning at home. We teach them on learning apps and through YouTube videos.

Remain patient
Mahie Gill

My daughter is going to turn four next month. I’m not in favour of kids going to school as it is not safe at all… we need to wait for the situation to get better, even if it means missing a year. I’m not in favour of online classes for younger kids as it impossible to make them sit at one place!