In Delhi, students will not be called to schools anytime soon in view of the Covid-19 pandemic, Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia said on Monday.
Here’s what Delhi parents had to say:
Renu Mehra is a freelancer and a parent to two kids. Her son Vansh studies in Class V in Ahlcon International School. Mehra said, “I don’t want Vansh to go school before he gets vaccinated. Small kids can’t take care of themselves and as a parent I don’t want to risk my child’s life. Schools shouldn’t reopen till everyone gets vaccinated.”
Shashi Palni works in the health sector and is mother to a Class 12 Kalka Public School boy ‘Tanush’, said, “Being a parent, I don’t want the schools to open for primary kids, but the schools can be reopened for the students who are studying in secondary or higher secondary, like children in class Xth, XIth and XIIth are matured enough to take care of their sanitisation, social distancing and other norms like wearing a mask.”
Palni said that the schools must reduce the duration and take the classes in slots considering children’s career, as a lot of them are unable to cope up with the online classes.
Manish Ranjan, another parent, said, “My daughter is studying at Arvind Gupta DAV Centenary Public School in Model Town. I heard that many people are in favour of opening the schools. I have a slight reservation about opening the schools so early. Recently, we saw a devastating second wave of coronavirus. People are saying that the third wave will also come. Amid all this, I think the government should reconsider their plans especially when we still don't have vaccines for kids. Nothing should hold a bigger priority than the safety of kids.”
Archna Thawani, had a different view to share, “I have two children. My younger son is in Class 11 in Apeejay and my daughter graduated from Class 12 last year. As a parent, I am concerned about my children’s safety and careers. I have seen children getting frustrated, they aren’t having the needed social interaction. Children are going out in malls, shops and parks then why can’t they go to school with precautions.”
Thawani also said that her daughter missed her Business Studies exam last year which got her overall percentage lower than what she actually deserved.
Karuna Tyagi, mother of Anant Tyagi from Andhra Education Society DDM, said, “The second wave of coronavirus has hit our family hard. As a mother I don't want to risk my child, especially after hearing about the third-wave. Schools must not reopen till the children are vaccinated. It’s already been more than a year, the vaccinations have started and hopefully within a few more months things will stabilise. We all can be a little more patient.”
Komal Tyagi, mother of Akshat Tyagi from Holy Angels School, agreed with Karuna.
Anuj Mehra is a parent to two kids. Her daughter Vanya studies in Ahlcon International School. Mehra said, “I don’t want Vanya to go to school before she gets vaccinated. Small kids aren’t mature enough to take care of themselves and as a parent I don’t want to risk my child’s life. Schools shouldn’t reopen till children get vaccinated.”
Umesh Kumar Gehlot said, “I am a father of two kids. Both of them are in primary school, one of them is in Kindergarten and the other one is in Class 4 in St. Lawrence Convent Senior Secondary School. I want the schools to reopen once the children get vaccinated.”
Rachna Sahi, a mother to Class 12 boy who studies in Holy Angels School, said that from that past one year, educational growth has been deeply impacted. The schools can reopen and the students should wear masks and maintain social distancing norms. The teachers, school management and the parents together have to make sure the children follow the norms.
Suman Singh, mother to a Class 7 student, said that after witnessing the third wave of coronavirus, she doesn’t want schools to reopen now. She said that she is concerned about her child’s education but at the same time she can’t put her child’s health at stake.
Shivani, mother of a Class 5 student, said, “The schools shouldn’t reopen before the children get vaccinated. The children who are keen to learn will continue to study, we can’t risk their life, especially with small kids. A little more patience can get us through the pandemic safely.”
