Proceed with caution

It seems that the apprehensions of many have come true after the NCOC ordered the closure of 22 educational institutions across the country for failing to comply with SOPs in just 48 hours after the first phase of reopening. At present the Punjab province has reported that 32 students and 2 school employees were found to be carrying coronavirus and while official figures haven’t been announced, the situation in the rest of the provinces are somewhat similar. Even though the decision comes with much fear and little shock, students, teachers and parents remain vexed.

The prevailing situation has best been expressed by Dr Atta-ur-Rehman, Chairman of Prime Minister’s Task Force on Science and Technology, in a recent TV interview where he asserted that it is practically impossible for a large number of schools to effectively implement strict SOP protocols. He further claimed that primary school students are not only too young to fully understand the extent of safety measures the schools have to take, but are also a threat to the elderly and sick at home since reports indicate that many could be asymptomatic carriers. As a result, the rate of spread could very well exacerbate out of control if schools remain open. On the other hand, the shutting down of educational institutions had already ensued multiple problems, ranging from unfair assessment and grading to lack of technological equipment and internet access for students. Thus, the current scenario has proved that the two apparent possibilities remain impractical.

However, little can be blamed on authorities as the only way to move forward amid such unprecedented conditions is through trial and error — the third and final option — where multiple different possibilities are tested until an implementable system is established. With the future riddled with uncertainty and a vaccine nowhere in sight, the authorities will need to resort to a hybrid form of education system comprising subsequent shifts from online learning to attending schools, depending on the rate of the spread. “Proceed with caution” can be the only advice that one can give as the slightest lapse in judgment could easily lead to the emergence of a second wave. The rest is up to fate.

 

Published in The Express Tribune, September 21^st, 2020.

Like Opinion & Editorial on Facebook, follow @ETOpEd on Twitter to receive all updates on all our daily pieces.