Delay reopening of schools with eye on surge: Experts

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: With the state announcing dates for the remaining Class X and Class XII examinations, medical experts have urged the government to put in place a foolproof protocol by treating each candidate as a Covid-19 suspect. This will be the first major social interaction for students since the lockdown was first announced and experts warn that there should not be any lapse that would put them at risk.
They also point out that the reopening of schools should be postponed by at least a few more months.“We are expecting an increase in coronavirus cases by June end and July with the influx of more people from other states. Hence it will not be advisable to open schools and colleges till August. There is every chance of a community spread. From home quarantines there is every chance of creating family clusters and there will be spillovers from these clusters to the community,” said Dr A Althaf, associate professor of community medicine, medical college hospital, Manjeri.
Even the expert committee appointed by the state government is learned to have recommended putting off reopening of schools and colleges. In addition, it is believed to have recommended the promotion of online classrooms.
Another expert panel, this one appointed by the Indian Medical Association (IMA), had also suggested postponing classes for at least a few months and voiced its support for distance learning in the interim.
“A classroom of 25 students will represent 25 families and these 25 students will come into contact with at least 25 other students in the school. Imagine a spread with schools and colleges functioning. The magnitude will be huge and we will not be able to handle it. Hence it is most advisable to keep schools closed at least for two more months,’’ said Dr Abraham Varghese, state president of IMA.
The guidelines issued by the IMA committee, which were submitted to chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan and health minister K K Shailaja, also said during the conduct of public examinations “all students must be considered Covid-19 positive, to ensure the precautions are 100%. Isolation classrooms must be available if a child develops any respiratory symptoms during class hours, for the safety of others.”
“We have also suggested physical distancing during exams. Students should be at least two metres apart. This means empty benches in front as well as behind each student. Masks must be worn at all times,’’ said Dr Varghese.