As the spread Covid-19 pandemic exponentially decreases throughout the country, the government has decided to open educational institutions from 15 September. In order to meet the necessary requirements, they have released SOP protocols that schools need to strictly follow. These include wearing masks, using hand sanitisers and maintaining social distance. Some schools are also planning to establish a system where students of different classes come to school on different days of the week.
As with every governmental decision, there has been both backlash and support. Many students were relieved by this decision because they were worried about their education. With Cambridge Exams awaiting them in April 2021, students remain eager to start school as soon as possible in order to expedite their learning and be ready to ace those exams. Likewise, some parents have also welcomed this decision since they wanted their children to do something productive rather than lounge around all day at home. Although many schools had already initiated online classes, students and teachers both felt that it was not the same as the learning environment in an actual classroom. Many, however, still remain unhappy with the decision. They claim that their children’s health is of utmost priority and schools should not open at any cost until the pandemic completely subsides. They felt that it was impossible for any school to follow SOPs effectively therefore that sending their children to school would be too risky.
In light of parental concerns, many schools have decided to continue with online learning while some have affirmed that physical school has to start. An air of confusion still blows among students, teachers and parents alike.
Kaleem Khan
Quetta
Published in The Express Tribune, Septe0mber 14th, 2020.
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