Nearly 90% of parents reluctant to send their children back to school

Nearly 90 per cent of parents here and other parts of the State are unwilling to send their children back to school
Nearly 90% of parents reluctant to send their children back to school

SCHOOL REOPENING

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: Nearly 90 per cent of parents here and other parts of the State are unwilling to send their children back to school immediately upon reopening.

Educational institutions have been remained close since March due to the outbreak of COVID-19 and lockdown. Feedbacks received by majority of the government as well private schools in the city have indicated that parents want to be absolutely sure that the COVID situation is completely under control before risking sending their children back to school.

"Majority of parents have told us that they will wait and watch for at least a month after reopening, and assess the situation before sending their children back to school. Only a few parents are willing to send their kids back to school immediately. We are already conducting online classes for our students," the principal of a leading private English-medium school said.

The principal pointed out that many parents are scared to send their children to the schools immediately after reopening as the government has opened quarantine facilities at certain areas in the city close to schools. He further said that his school is in a fix as how to go ahead in case the government orders reopening of educational institutions.

"How could I send my daughter (10 years) and son (9 years) to schools immediately unless I am sure that the COVID situation has been completely controlled? There are news reports that even in advanced country like France the number of COVID positive cases has increased after reopening of schools," Sangeeta Sarma, a mother said.

Sarma also said that the government will have to come out with strict instructions for schools to follow all COVID safety protocols before asking the educational institutions to reopen.

On other hand ParentCircle, India's leading parenting platforms, recently conducted an online survey in cities (including Guwahati) across the country. The survey covered important aspects of a child's life including playing with other kids, going to birthday parties, engaging in sports, going on vacations, visiting malls and restaurants, and other such aspects that are associated with their regular life. Parents have been found to be apprehensive, with 64 per cent of them unwilling to send their children to birthday parties for the rest of the year, even if social distancing norms are followed.

The survey has found that while 35 per cent of parents are willing to let their children play with other kids, but with social distancing norms; 50 per cent want to wait and assess the situation before deciding. While 50 per cent of parents have said no to malls and movies for the rest of the year, less than 0.5 per cent are willing to enjoy these activities as soon as the lockdown ends. 

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