Education amid Covid-19: Road to recovery

Education amid Covid-19: Road to recovery

The traditional education system will get back on track post mass vaccinations. With the schools reopening for the higher classes in Tamil Nadu, we look at the challenges and examine the benefits of reopening schools

Respedit.Chennai@timesgroup.com

05.09.2021

Science has proved, yet another time that effective research, precaution and execution can prevent the spread of virus. This also allows normalcy to slowly resume, bringing back all sectors, including education, back on track.

As schools reopen after the vaccination drive, they must balance the educational, social and emotional needs of their students, as well as ensure the health and safety of students and staff. “The world that lies ahead of us may look different from the one we’re leaving behind. Slowly, and as the vaccine drive gains momentum, schools are beginning to get back to normal, with students getting back to the classroom, of course, with stringent protocols to ensure the safety of all. Teaching methodologies have changed, and while teachers and students have welcomed digital teaching, it will now be coupled with in-classroom activities and field visits too, ensuring the overall development and learning of a child. This is a welcome move, and the vaccine only ensures extra safety. The new model of learning focussed on classroom as well as digital learning is known as hybrid schooling and is the new normal teaching pedagogy not only in India, but across the globe,” says Siddhi Sankhla, a school principal.

The closure of schools had impacted the daily lives of students. The change was sudden, unexpected and there was no substitute system in place. While the collective efforts of parents, students and teachers did pay off, children do need to interact in person to develop and learn better.

One major benefit that students gain from the opening of schools is equal access to education for all. “In keeping with India’s vast student population, it was discouraging to see only a minority of students from privileged backgrounds access online classes. Students from tier-II and tier-III cities, as well as remote districts of India had little access, either due to the lack of gadgets, internet services or their inability to use them. This led to only a fraction of students receiving online education. Multiple surveys have shared data proving that most students have missed their virtual exams, and have wasted a year in the process. Hence, the move to reopen schools is encouraging for more than one reason,” says Kiran Bhatia, a school teacher and parent of an eight-year-old. “Meanwhile, schools should follow the government’s SOP guidelines and ensure a classroom size of not more than 50 per cent until the virus is eradicated. Classroom teaching, coupled with a vaccine jab and necessary precaution, will bring back normalcy to India’s disturbed education system,” concludes Kiran.