Schools never the link between children and Covid19 spread
In 2020 the whole world was shut down because of a pandemic. But soon after the lockdown restaurants, malls, bars, retail shops and almost everything but not the schools, colleges and temples. But later, permission was given to open temples but the temple of knowledge was kept closed.
In October – November a decision was taken to start schools with 50 per cent capacity and with strict rules. But when the third way hit again, schools and colleges were shut down again.Everytime when the wave hits, it’s been observed that schools are the first to close down but other businesses or malls and specifically bars.
According to World Bank’s Gopal Education Director Jaime Saarvedkar, keeping schools closed has no justification and even if there are waves, closing schools should be last resort.
But we see this happening completely opposite. There is no evidence that virus is also spreading through schools, so shutting down schools is irrelevant. The health risk is low for the children if schools reopens according to various stimulation of the world bank.
During the first wave back in 2020, there was no knowledge about the virus and how destructive it is going to be or when it will end. Tackling the situation was difficult back then but that’s not the case now.
Our country is facing learning poverty. Learning poverty is when children below age 10 are unable to understand smile text. The report shows that 53 to 56 per cent of children in low and middle income countries are not able to understand simple text.
He later added, the learning poverty in India is expected to increase from 55 per cent to 70 per due to learning loss and is estimated to fall almost one year if schooling while the average annual earnings might shrink in a pessimistic scenario by nine per cent per student in future.
Shutting down schools means full stop on the growth of students. Hence decision should be taken soon as almost years have been wasted only deciding.
Updated by Shraddha Nagwekar
Shutting down schools means full stop on the growth of students. Hence decision should be taken soon as almost years have been wasted only deciding.