It would be pointless to pretend, first, that there may not be an element of risk in the partial re-opening of state schools as of yesterday and secondly that this does not transform into a certain level of anxiety amongst parents to the extent that some of them would have kept their children at home, at least for the time being.
The issue here, mind you, is not whether the partial re-opening of schools was the correct one or otherwise since it is the Covid-19 pandemic that is the X factor here. That said, there are also risks, and considerable ones too, in delaying the continuation of formal schooling for that group of children who are approaching their final few years in secondary school. That those few years should simply drift away without a great deal having been added to what would have been done in earlier years would mean, among other things, that the eligibility of many of them for further education would have been compromised and considerably so. That will amount to a personal cost to the victims and a cumulative loss to the nation.
Striking a balance between the safety of the children on the one hand and keeping them in school, on the other is a tough call. In that context it is a matter of overwhelming regret that many of the nation’s children whose formal primary and secondary education remains incomplete at this stage, will probably not be returning to school, now or at any time in the future.
Insofar as yesterday’s re-start of classes for the secondary school seniors is concerned the Ministry of Education has to understand that it simply has to get this right. In this regard what we are entitled to expect is that such undertakings as the Ministry has given with regard to the physical and logistical arrangements that have to do with safety and health considerations will be delivered in full. In relation to the safety and sanitation-related protocols, particularly, the Ministry must understand that every promise to every school across this nation must be honoured. No setback must be the result of either negligence or unkept promises. Specifically, assurances will be needed in areas that include the routine sanitizing of the washrooms, classrooms, corridors and other open spaces as well as the implementation of mask-wearing and the enforcement of the social distancing protocols. These will have to be overseen throughout the school day; and while these ‘ad-ons’ will represent a deviation from the norm and more work for administrators, teachers and sanitation personnel it has to be borne in mind that these are by no means normal times and it ought not to be too much to ask that in these trying circumstances, those responsible raise their game..
While it has been reported in the media that the Minister has met with both teachers and parents and that some measure of understanding has been established with regard to the regimen that will obtain, one would wish to see, as well, engagements between parents and teachers at ‘ground zero’ so to speak, which is where the anxieties will arise and where assurances will be sought and will have to be given. For example, school administrators will have to be ‘on call’ prepared to endure interruptions to their schedules by parents and guardians requiring assurances and reassurances in matters pertaining to the safety of their children. This admittedly demanding circumstance may well obtain for as long as the delivery of education takes place while the pandemic is still raging.
As has already been mentioned these are worrisome times and it would be foolhardy to pretend to the contrary. The circumstances require that the Ministry and its functionaries raise their game, demonstrating in the process that they are capable of meeting the challenge.