On reopening of schools in Manipur

Homen Thangjam *

The way the COVED 19 pandemic stands in Manipur, there is an upward escalation. More so after stranded citizens of the state started arriving from other parts of India.

At the time of filing this article, there are 86 active cases out of 128 positive cases. The scenario at the national level is more grim than that of this tiny state having a population of around 30 lakhs.

Nevertheless, to tide over economic slump and make livelihood of the denizens easier, there has been phased opening up of the lockdown. There is speculation that university, college and school are likely to be opened up by mid-July.

The modality of how learning ensues in the face of present challenges thrown up by online/satellite teaching-learning method on one hand, and the necessity of providing universal education is something policy makers will surely grapple with.

In the case of Manipur, few issues need to be addressed. First and foremost, there is likely to be additional pressure on existing schools in terms of enrolment (baring students who are currently enrolled in Class DC & X and Class XI & XII).

Popular views of parents whose children are outside the state for school education endorse this view. As few parents admit, "We're scared to send our children away". Given this situation, a lot is expected from the schools in the state, be it private, aided or Government, in terms of infrastructure, teachers, availability of study materials and associated services, etc.

School fees in private schools is another perplexing issue, given that majority of the returnees from outside the state were in private sectors whose occupations are at stake now. Equally true is the scenario of those at home. These are hard times, financially.

School operators must take these in their strides and reduce the fees of students without compromising the earnings of those employed in the schools. Perhaps, the Government can revalidate its guidelines on fees structure of private schools.

One of the opinions that is making rounds at the national level regarding reopening is that schools are safe zones. Places of learning are known for discipline, and thus, maintaining a hygienic routine including physical/social distance at schools must not be a problem.

Therefore, it is the responsibility of the parents to enforce the same at homes and trust the school authorities and teachers. While this is true, what needs to be taken into account in the case of Manipur is the overcrowded classrooms on account of lack of classrooms at various added and Government schools, and absentee-teachers.

Then, there are the issues of bare availability of toilets - forget about hygienic toilets. Therefore, maintaining a 1-metre distance in the classroom raises a difficult problem and a dreaded scenario of hygiene.

One of the eyesores when we see children going to schools is the way children are stuffed inside vans like fermented fish. Although the State Government had issued guidelines to streamline the menace of overcrowded school vans, there has not been strict implementation. But the present time demands a change.

If schools are reopened, then surely, van services must be monitored and strictly regulated. Perhaps, school children might not fall under the category of risk group as far as COVID-19 is concerned, but as experts say, close physical proximity must be avoided at any cost be it in vans or classrooms.

Onus to facilitate education in its true sense lies ultimately with the Government. However, future of the children can only be ensured when all the stakeholders collectively work together.

But most important of all, there has to be willingness on the part of the service providers to tread the line of knowledge and wisdom with sincerity and integrity.

All these depend on how quickly we can contain the spread of COVID-19 and do away with the quarantine centres in the schools.