DNA Special: Is it wise for parents to send children to school amid surge in COVID-19 cases?

Amid the surge in COVID-19 cases in the country, schools in nine states and Union Territories resumed classes partly for students of classes 9 to 12 after six months four days on Monday (September 21). Schools were shut since March 16, 2020.  The nine states where classes resumed are Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Assam, Jammu and Kashmir under the Central government's Unlock 4.0 guidelines.

However, on the first day of resumption of classes, students were 'elusive' and the attendance was thin as parents don't want to put their child's life in risk amid the growing number of Coronavirus cases.

At many places, teachers were ordered to come to school, however, not even one student came for the classes as teachers were seen waiting in vain for the pupils. It was found that the majority of students were not yet willing the attend the schools amid the air of the pandemic still around since the coronavirus outbreak continues to spread like wildfire across the country.

But on the bright side, those students who came were happy to be back after so many months, however, their parents were a worried lot.

Parents should keep these points in mind if they decide to send their children to school:

The child should be sent to school only if he/she is completely healthy.

Send masks and sanitizer with the child.

Only students who need special guidance from teachers should be sent to school.

The child's immune system should be good and he/she should be fed nutritious food.

Do not send children to school if they have asthma or any other respiratory problems.
 

The schools have also been given strict guidelines that need to be followed for the resumption of classes. 

The Health Ministry guidelines that are being followed by schools are:

Students from classes 9th to 12th will be allowed to go to school to take guidance from teachers. however that will be completely their own choice. For this, parents/guardians have to give a written consent.

Schools outside the containment zone will be allowed to be opened. However, students, teachers, school staff residing in the containment zone will not be allowed to come to school.

Before resuming activities in the school, all work areas, classroom laboratories, teaching area, common utility area, etc., have to be sanitised with sodium hypochlorite solution.

The seating arrangement should be done in the same way to ensure that there is a distance of more than 6 feet between two students and teachers in schools.

Schools which were used as quarantine centres will be cleaned and deep-sanitized before partially resuming.

Only 50 feet teaching and non-teaching staff will be called in the school.

Alternative arrangements for contact-less attendance instead of biometric attendance at school will be made by the school administration.

Teachers and students will have maintain a physical distance of 6 feet, wherever possible. The activities and seating arrangements will be according to that.

Assemblies, sports and events that can lead to overcrowding have been strictly prohibited.

The guidelines said that for air-conditioning/ventilation, the guidelines of CPWD shall be followed which emphasises that the temperature setting of all air conditioning devices should be in the range of 24-30 degree Celsius, relative humidity should be in the range of 40-70 per cent, intake of fresh air should be as much as possible and cross ventilation should be adequate.

Lockers of students will remain in use, as long as physical distancing and regular disinfection is maintained.

Swimming Pool shall remain closed.

Students from Classes 9th to 12th will have the option of attending the classes remotely/virtually or physically only on a voluntary basis for guidance from their teachers subject to written permission of parent/guardian.

The guidelines said that cleaning and regular disinfection (using 1 per cent sodium hypochlorite) of frequently touched surfaces (doorknobs, elevator buttons, handrails, chairs, benches, washroom fixtures, etc.) will be made mandatory in all classrooms, laboratories, lockers, parking areas, other common areas before the beginning of classes and at the end of the day.

Teachers have to ensure that students do not share things like pencils, pens, books, tiffin boxes, water bottles.

The school management has to ensure that both the students and teachers put on masks all the time.

So, now it is up to the parents they want their children to attend classes in school or not. However, it is always prudent to take a thoughtful decision when it comes to your children's health.