Parents’ views sought on resuming schools

NEW DELHI: The human resource development (HRD) ministry has written to the states to seek and furnish feedback from parents on when they would like schools to reopen — August, September or October — and what their expectations are for the resumption of lessons after the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) lockdown.

Significantly, the ministry has written to states and Union territories at a time when the CBSE has completed its examination process.

According to a letter sent on July 17 to the education secretaries of all states and union territories, the HRD ministry wants parental feedback on when they would be comfortable with schools reopening. August, September or October? What are parental expectations of schools as and when they reopen? HT has reviewed a copy of the letter.

The ministry is also preparing detailed social distancing norms for schools to avoid transmission of the virus. There has been concern among parents as well as students about the safety of physical classes. The HRD ministry may provide broad contours for the proposed reopening, leaving it to the states to decide on the actual opening of schools depending on the Covid-19 situation. Education falls in the concurrent list of the Constitution.