PROMINENT LKO SCHOOLS IN NO HURRY TO REOPEN
LUCKNOW Concerned about the well being of their children in case schools reopen next month, most parents in UP are carrying out campaigns on social media to draw the state government’s attention towards their concern.
“With India now surpassing Spain in terms of number of Covid-19 patients and UP tally crossing 10,500-mark on June 7, it will be better if government decides to keep educational institutions shut till mid August as the numbers have started doubling fast,” said Garima Singh whose two daughters study in a prominent school in Lucknow.
A number of prominent schools in Lucknow are on the same page with parents. Principal, La Martiniere College, Carlyle McFarland is of the view that ideally he would prefer to reopen the school in October. “There are indications from the ministry of human resource development (MHRD) not to rush and wait till
August. But online classes will resume from July,” he said.
Principal, La Martiniere Girls College, Aashrita Dass said she was in no hurry to reopen the school. “Reopening school in July looks impossible. Class 9-12 may start in August after seeing the situation. But there shouldn’t be any classes for students up to class 8,” she said.
She argues since schools are effectively social hubs, they also become hubs of disease transmission. “Are we prepared to risk the safety of a pupil, staff and support staff?,” she asks.
CEO, Study Hall, Urvashi Sahni said she will follow the guidelines of MHRD and the state government. “Safety of the students is our concern. We will follow social distancing norm by using school library, halls and other areas to ensure they study in small groups,” she said.
City Montessori School, which has multiple branches with over 56,000 students, is not rushing with the plan to reopen school in July. They are happy to start
online classes from next month.
“The numbers are increasing in the state. So we don’t want to compromise with safety of our students. I don’t see the possibility of opening the school in July. It will be safer to reopen school in August,” said Geeta Gandhi Kingdon, president, CMS.
Majority of Delhi Public Schools in Lucknow said they will reopen as per the government guidelines.
Meanwhile, a number of institutions under the banner of Unaided Private Schools’ Association (UPSA), which had closed their schools around March 18, on Monday gave a proposal to deputy chief minister Dinesh Sharma on allowing them to reopen the schools in a phased manner beginning with class 10 and 12 from July 20.
“There is, however, no consensus, when to start classes for preprimary and primary school students. There are plans to start classes of primary school after September 15. But different views have come forward for primary and pre primary sections as they come below age of 10 who are vulnerable according to experts,” said Anil Agarwal, president, UPSA, and owner of St Joseph group of schools. Deputy chief minister Dinesh Sharma said schools may reopen from second or third week of July and that the government will soon take a final call on the issue.
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