Schools in Delhi partially reopened
Schools in Delhi were partially reopened from today for Class 10 and 12 students. However, as per the official notice from Delhi Disaster Management Authority on August 8, 2021, the schools will reopen only for admission and board related works. Stakeholders must note that the decision has been taken after scrutinizing the COVID 19 situation in the country.
The schools have been instructed to continue online classes. The status of COVID 19 in NCT of Delhi has been observed before concluding this decision. Delhi Schools to reopen only for Class 10 and 12 students. However, schools for other classes will remain closed and online education will continue.
Meanwhile, the report submitted by Parliamentary standing committee on education, women, children, youth and sports said that the closure of schools and online education has “exacerbated the learning crisis” for children amid the pandemic.
The committee in its recommendations on reopening of schools has noted that many children have been pushed into child marriage or household chores in the absence of school learning. To combat this, the committee report has suggested the government take a “balanced view” and reopen schools with necessary measures.
More than 32 crore student population studying in schools and colleges have been affected by the “largest disruption” of the education system in India, it added. The report has suggested vaccine drives for school children, teachers, and staff, staggered or alternate days of the school session, regular thermal screening, and medical infrastructure to be put in place for schools to reopen.
“The learning loss of more than one year would necessarily have weakened the foundational knowledge of the students especially in the subjects of mathematics, sciences and languages at school level. This learning loss is a big deficit and is likely to impair the cognitive capabilities of students,” the panel said in its report.