Among a host of topics related to restarting of normal activities cutting across sectors, the most delicate one is no doubt the reopening of educational institutions, particularly the schools. Discussions are currently on at the central level and the states too including Arunachal Pradesh are deliberating on the issue where the core agenda is how to return back to classroom mode of education without compromising students’ safety. This is a hard choice to make at this juncture since infections are spreading throughout the length and breadth of the country with a terrifying speed. But, it’s quite clear by now that despite certain positive aspects of e-learning, it cannot be the replacement of traditional classroom-based learning and is hardly sustainable on a long-term basis. More so, the online system of school education cannot have a blanket applicability across the country as it’s the on-ground reality that ‘Digital India’ where a robust internet connectivity is a fundamental criteria, has still not encompassed within its fold many areas. And what can be a better example than Arunachal.

Currently, various stakeholders are engaged in discussions and NCERT as a principal party executing the role of an adviser to the Union MHRD reportedly has chalked out a set of draft guidelines where emphasis has been laid on safety of students through diligent observation of the social distancing norm not only within classrooms but also in toilets, bus depots, midday meal distribution and hostels. The guidelines have also proposed that opening be done in a phased manner starting with senior classes (VIII-XII) followed by pre-primary and upper-primary sections. It has also suggested that there is a need to prioritise the educational needs of the wards of migrant workers and also those with minimum facilities such as internet connectivity and smartphones. Accommodating each and every aspect is important in the current socio-economic milieu and as such, besides being delicate, it’s going to be a gargantuan exercise as based on various estimates it can be reasonably assumed that it’s nothing less than 25 cr school children spread across 15 lakh schools, both private and government.

A concrete consensus of when to reopen schools is really becoming difficult as it will be impossible to predict what will be the pandemic’s colour in August, the proposed month for commencement of classes. Demands are also being made to declare 2020-21 as ‘zero academic’ year. If that’s not possible, an arguable solution can be streamlining of syllabi. But for all practical purposes, the states should be allowed to make the final decision based on their respective scenarios.

For Arunachal, it will be practicable to wait for some time even if it means an academic loss. Safety of the students should receive the highest priority. 

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Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
Phone: 0360-2212313

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