Reopening schools: Review by Aug 15

Ahmedabad: The state government will review the situation, with the help of health officials, by August 15 and then consider reopening schools that have remained shut during the Covid lockdown.
The government has already asked schools, teachers, and experts concerned to review the circumstances and offer opinions. State education minister Bhupendrasinh Chudasama said, “We will study all reviews, discuss them with parents, and only then consider opening schools.” He went on to say: “I am more concerned for students of Classes I to V.We are starting online classes from June 15 and making arrangements for students to get textbooks.”
Meanwhile, the virtual academic session has begun in most schools in the city, and students are taking classes from the comfort of their homes.
Amidst the corona crisis and the lockdown, schools have adopted the new way of teaching and are busy implementing virtual time-tables. Most schools confirm that the emphasis is on creating a fine balance between learning outcomes and the limited exposure to digital screens.
School authorities maintain that the study pattern is intense for senior classes, but junior classes get a blend of academics and activities. However, for senior KG to Class III, most schools are imparting lessons through videos. Educators prepare videos on academic topics and share them with parents who subsequently show them to their children.
However, students have their own set of problems. Mana Singh, a student, said, “At times the online lecture gets boring and I get distracted. This never happened in the classroom.” Another student, Pretty Desai, said: “Sometimes, there is a clash of timings between my school and tuition classes and I have to opt for the latter.”
Anand Niketan Group of Schools director Nashy Chauhan said, “The administrative staff has resumed duty and online sessions for senior classes have begun. For other classes, they will start from June 18.” Chauhan said: “Everything is being done keeping social distancing norms in mind.”
Maharaja Agrasen Vidyalaya director Shobha Tyagi said: “Online classes have commenced and educators are doing the needful from their homes.” Sujata Tandon, the principal of Udgam School for Children, said: “The beauty of online classes is that attendance is almost 95-100%. But students are yearning for face-to-face learning.”
But some parents have other concerns. All Gujarat Parents’ Association president Naresh Shah said: “Schools are asking for fees for six months, besides charges for transportation and food.” Shah went on to say: “The chief minister had spoken about fees for only one month. The schools are asking students to buy books of private publishers for virtual classes.”