Chandigarh: Schools safer, feel some parents

CHANDIGARH: Parents of students studying in private schools are happy with the online classes and do not want to risk the health of their wards by sending them to schools, however, parents of government school students have their own reasons for sending their children to schools. They feel that students are safer in schools then at home.
Lack of smartphones, internet facilities, no one to keep a check on children at home are some of the concerns that the parents have shared with teachers of government schools.These are the main reasons that why parents of students studying in government schools have given consent for reopening of schools.

One of the teachers, requesting anonymity, said, “Government school students are facing problems in online education due to unavailability of smart phones or laptops at their homes and wherever the same is available, there are multiple users. Parents said that school was a better option for their ward’s academic future.”
Some parents are also finding it difficult to keep an eye on their children as they have to go to work. “Not just now, even before asking for consent, I have been getting calls and messages from around 20 parents daily asking about reopening of schools as they felt that children were safer at school then at home. They also maintained that children were finding it difficult to study through online mode,” said the teacher.
Another government school teacher said, “Most parents of students in my school work as labourers or are in factories. After the lockdown, they have been under financial burden because of which both the parents have been going to work. Parents worry about their children, who are alone at home, and they want schools to reopen not only for classes IX to XII, but even for junior classes.”
Teachers on the other hand are worried that in case any student contracts the virus after, they will be held responsible. Teachers working in schools in areas like Manimajra, Mauli Jagran, Ramdarbar, Burail etc. are worried as these areas are witnessing maximum positive cases daily.
A teacher requesting anonymity said, “Students of the entire Burail area come to our school. If one positive case comes in the school, then the situation will become uncontrollable.”
Jagdish Mishra, a parent from Daddumajra, said, “The area we are living in does not allow social distancing due to congestion and close proximity of houses. and it is risky at the same time. I feel students will be safer in schools and online classes are not that effective.”
Teachers are hoping for preventive measures from the education department.
TOI had reported on Friday that more than 50 per cent parents of students studying in government schools have given their consent for sending their children to school.