As primary schools in Nagaland are set to start normal classroom teaching for students of classes 1 to 5 in a few days, March 22 to be precise, most students will be eager to get back to school after more than a year break, while parents could be having mixed feelings. Parents who were worried about the learning loss of their children, will be happy now that the state government has finally decided to reopen schools for lower classes. They know the frustration that young students have been experiencing since the schools were shut days before lockdown was imposed on March 24 midnight last year. In the meantime, they will also be concerned about the health of their children, at least in the back of their mind, as they are aware of the pandemic condition around the world. However, this time, it is necessary not to get emotional and panic, as was witnessed during the initial days of the lockdown, but take concrete measures to avoid closure of schools once again. Parents need to work along with the government authorities and the school administration to ensure that students are safe and education continues. There are reports of Covid-19 cases being detected among students where schools had resumed classes. If such a case arises, the clamour to stop classroom teaching could begin and the students will suffer again. For this reason as well as for the safety of the children, parents should make sure that the standard operating procedures issued by state government are strictly followed. Parents should teach Covid-appropriate behaviours to their children from home and provide safety kits like face mask.
At school, the administration and teachers are duty-bound to take all precautionary measures, including sanitisation of compound, classrooms, furniture, etc. before and after class. They should ensure that students maintain social distancing at all times. This demands constant watch as children will have the urge to mix with friends or play. With some states witnessing a huge spike in the number of Covid-19 cases in the last few weeks, resulting in imposition of fresh lockdown in Maharashtra’s Nagpur, it is even more necessary to take extra precaution by all and wherever we are, be it at home, school or public places. Alarmed by 150% rise in Covid cases in 70 districts of the country over the last few days, Prime Minister Narendra Modi convened a video conference with the chief ministers of various states on Wednesday to discuss the pandemic situation and challenge of maintaining Covid-appropriate behaviour by the public. Warning about a possible country-wide outbreak if the current trend is not checked, he urged the lawmakers to stop the emerging "second peak" of Covid-19 immediately. This warning should be taken seriously as second wave of Corona outbreak is looming large. To avoid further disruption of normal life, everyone, irrespective of age, should follow all Covid protocols and avail vaccine when their turn comes. Slipping into complacency will cost us dear.