Students eager to make up for lost time

Schools in Punjab reopen tomorrow for higher grades

LAHORE:

Amid the second wave of coronavirus, the classes of grade nine to 12 will resume on Monday in 30,000 private educational institutions along with 6,000 government high schools and 700 higher secondary schools across Punjab under the directives of the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC).

The classes of lower grades will resume from February 1 in 38,000 private primary and 12,000 elementary schools along with 50,000 government institutions. More than 700 government and 1,600 private colleges will also reopen along with more than 30 government universities and 60 private degree awarding institutions.

Teaching could not take place in the educational institutions for 10 months. The reopening of the institutions will bring new challenges for students, teachers and parents.

Talking to The Express Tribune, a student, Rabia Nasir, say that Covid-19 has proved to be a mortal enemy of human life as well as research and education of art and science. She said about 300 days of face to face education had been lost due to restrictions imposed to avoid the spread of the pandemic and now the students would have only 90 days to complete the academic year if the educational institutions remain open till June.

Another student, Kanwal Nasir, said it would be difficult to get the studies back on track and prepare for the annual exams during the remaining period of the year. “However, we will work day and night to secure our educational future.”

On the other hand, parents say the pandemic has affected them on two fronts. “Firstly, the economic situation has deteriorated and secondly the education of our children also suffered. We try our best to provide all possible facilities and support to the children.

Apparently it will be a difficult task but it is our duty to meet the requirements of education and training of children,” said Nasiruddin Shami, the father of a student. Commenting on the decision, several teachers said the government was opening the schools on the instructions of the NCOC but with the second severe wave of coronavirus, the severity of the cold weather was also increasing, but school hours had been set from 8:30am to 1:30pm. “It will be difficult for students to follow these timings. Therefore, it would be better if the working hours are set from 9am to 1pm. However, in both cases, the precautionary standard operating procedures (SOPs) will be implemented responsibly in government schools,” said Rana Liaqat Ali, a government school teacher.

Qazi Mohammad Naeem Anjum, the head of a private schools’ group, said the buildings, furniture and other necessities had been sanitised in accordance with the SOPs as directed by the government and the process would be followed on a daily basis so that all possible protection from the virus could be provided to students. “In this regard, according to the SOPs issued by the government, no break will be given in schools. Students will not be allowed to have lunch together. Every student will wear a mask. The school administration will make full arrangements for hand washing. All teachers will use masks and gloves. Chalk, markers, black and white boards will be sanitised. No employee or driver will carry the students’ bags. School employees will repeat the process of sanitising over and over again. No student, employee or teacher will be allowed to enter a school while suffering from cold, cough or fever,” he added.

When contacted, Punjab Education Minister Dr Murad Raas said all responsible officials of the department should carry out emergency visits to government and private schools and if any negligence is found, the school will be sealed and departmental action will be taken against those found negligent. The minister said he would also visit the schools for the purpose.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 17^th, 2021.