Many kids have never been to school since admission because of the pandemic and many of those who have seem to have forgotten what school was like, said teachers and parents.
With the government allowing reopening of schools for students from the pre-primary to the middle school level, teachers said the challenge would be to wean off the youngest learners from the couch and the bed.
In-person sessions for classes VIII to XII have already started. The Telegraph lists the concerns and challenges after speaking to school heads, parents and teachers.
Separation anxiety
Children who would go to school at the age of two-and-a-half or three years are now aged between four-and-a-half and five years. They have spent the last two years attending school from home.
“Pre-primary children do not know what a classroom is. Even students who were in Class I (before the pandemic broke out) have possibly forgotten the school experience… coming to school leaving their parents back home. It might take weeks to months to get them used to the school life,” said Terence Ireland, principal of St James’ School.
Schools said the issue of “separation anxiety” needs to be addressed and students cannot be called to school for longer durations.
“Separation anxiety is bound to be there. When we get them to school, it has to be for an hour or so initially. The duration will be increased gradually,” said Nupur Ghosh, vice-principal of Mahadevi Birla World Academy.
Covid protocol
Parents are concerned whether their little ones would return home with their own masks or their friends’. “How long they will wear a mask and how long they can stay away from each other is my concern,” said P. Sinha, whose sons are in classes II and VII.
Hybrid model woes
Many schools that are planning to bring back primary children to class said the focus would be on co-curricular and outdoor activities. Those in front of the screen will be asked to log off or take a break.
“It would be difficult to do similar things online and offline,” said Seema Sapru, principal of The Heritage School.
In a hybrid model, teachers can be confused about who to give attention to.
Teachers’ orientation
The natural response of a teacher in the pre-pandemic times was to touch a child to console him or her. But they can no longer do that, as a precaution against Covid.
“Teachers and non-teaching employees have to be told that they cannot touch a child, even on the shoulder. They have to maintain a distance while interacting with the children,” said Suvina Shunglu, principal of Sri Sri Academy.
Transport
Parents will have to arrange for transport for their children and many might not be ready to let the young ones use public transport or pool cars. At least one school head said parents have to be given time to make arrangements.
“I am not sure what kind of hygiene and distancing will be maintained in pool cars,” said a father.