DDMA’s decision against school reopening leaves parents associations, principals dejected – Education News

Parents’ associations and principals were left disappointed as the DDMA decided against the reopening of schools in its meeting today.

The DDMA’s decision taken on Thursday to not reopen schools in the national capital left many school principals and school organisations disappointed. These parent associations and school principals argued that continuing school closure argue is no longer a solution.

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Delhi government wants schools to reopen

DDMA officials informed today that schools in Delhi remain closed the issue will be taken up in the next meeting of the DDMA.

Whereas, the Delhi government recommended schools reopening, terming it as necessary for preventing further damage to the social and economic well-being of children as the Covid-19 situation in the capital has improved.
School closures to deepen inequality

Parents’ associations disappointed with the decision

Terming not opening schools as a sad move, All India Parents Association (AIPA) President Ashok Agarwal said the decision makers have neither heart, nor mind and that prolonging the closures will promote and perpetuate class divide and inequality in education.

He went on to add, “Studies and childhood of students have already suffered too much which is irreparable. Closing down schools has no scientific basis.”

“It has reduced employment and led people to face hunger. So many people are sitting idle at home and waiting for schools to reopen,” said the AIPA president.

School closures not a solution

Similar voices were heard as Director Sumedha Goel of The Shri Ram Wonder Years, Rohini recommended that schools for junior classes should resume in a phased manner while keeping the hybrid model at its core.

“Keeping the schools closed is not a solution. Like a seedling requires the right amount of water, sunlight, air to grow, similarly a budding child requires social interaction, food for the mind and soul, emotional well-being, etc to attain a holistic growth,” the director added further.

Vaccination a possible safeguard

MRG School Principal Anshu Mittal said that the pandemic years have shown people the need for modifying the curriculum and pedagogical methods.

“Every other country has opened schools, we educators are deeply concerned about the same for our learners as they are being deprived,” she added.

Commenting on the vaccination drive for adolescents, she said, “Now with vaccination kickstarting for the age group of 15-18, we foresee vaccination for kids also becoming a reality soon. Preferably till that time a major chunk of adult population would have also received their booster shot.”

Modern Public School Principal Alka Kapur put forward a similar point saying, “Eighty five percent of the students are vaccinated and the drive to vaccinate children of other age groups is scheduled to start in April. With adequate precautions, I don’t think there should be a problem if we go ahead and open the schools now.”

Decision not to reopen schools disappointing

Tanya Agarwal, a lawyer vocal about the school reopening said, “Today’s decision is deeply disappointing. The DDMA chairperson (lieutenant governor) and members should publicly disclose the reasons for keeping schools closed but allowing everything else, particularly when every expert body has recommended it.”

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