A section of parents in several schools have expressed their apprehensions regarding the spread of Covid and some have requested the schools for online classes.
The schools, however, in their attempt to keep campuses open because there has already been a loss of learning in the last two years, are approving leave for children even if they are not sick but are scared to come to school fearing infection.
The schools have become more flexible in the post-pandemic world. Some are uploading summaries of what is being taught in class.
“Some parents are sending out notes to the school that they are scared of the rise in infections and that they understand that children might not follow Covid safety protocols. Some are requesting the school to shift to online classes,” said Sarabdi Bhattacharjee, principal, The Newtown School.
South Point has been receiving such emails, too. In a notice addressed to parents this week, the school gave parents the liberty to not send their children if they were “not comfortable”.
“While some parents have been requesting us to switch to online classes, at the same time, there is a substantial number who want physical classes to continue,” the notice said.
At The Newtown School, the day’s work is being uploaded every day to help children who are not coming to school.
“We are giving parents the freedom to decide to keep children at home. We are approving their leave even if they are not sick but are too scared to send them to school,” said Bhattacharjee.
The fears are mostly being expressed by parents of children in junior school because that age group has not been vaccinated yet.
“Because of the experience of online class in the last two years, there is an opinion among parents that learning will not stop... But as educators, we also understand that online is a poor substitute to in-person classes. There is so much apart from academics that students miss out on in an online scenario,” said Amita Prasad, director, Indus Valley World School.
The schools also cannot ignore the voice of another section of parents who do not want schools to close again and shift to online classes.
“It would be unfair on them,” said a school head.
Many schools reopened for physical classes in the last week of June after the summer break.
In the last seven days, schools have been reporting children with Covid. In several schools, children with symptoms are being sent back home almost every day.
“We are going an extra mile to consider the requests of parents. For children at home, if parents are requesting for an appointment with a teacher to understand what is being taught in class, we are giving them the opportunity,” Prasad said.