Panaji: Schools in Goa have been closed since March after the lockdown was announced in view of the coronavirus pandemic, which has brought before us a challenging situation. Schools and colleges have adopted online learning but many feel this is not as efficient as actual learning. GNH asked teachers across Goa, about what they feel of school resuming normal classes.
Responding to this most of the teachers replied saying that nobody wants to risk their child by exposing them to Covid19; it’s better that to declare a zero academic year. “We can maintain social distancing at school but to what extent? Students will like to play with each other and exchange books, tiffin etc. Unknowingly this will lead to transmission,” the teachers said.
Speaking to GNH, Jamal Ibrahim, a commerce student of Std 12 is of the opinion that opening schools is a bad idea. “If one child is found positive, entire class might get the infection. All schools and colleges may not have the requisite facilities to maintain social distancing. You can’t sit for six hours with a mask on, some students have Asthama problem,” Jamal said adding that it will be difficult to maintain social distancing when travelling in school buses also.
Vaishali Manjrekar reckons that schools should not open till December. “Maybe post December the chances of the condition improving is more. Right now even the climate is unusual; many people are having common cold we don’t know who is Covid-19 positive,” Manjrekar opined.
She feels online classes are doing a good job keeping her daughter, who is in Std 8, busy with school work. “She does her assignments, answers her exams, moreover her teachers are very co-operative,” she added.
