GOING BACK TO SCHOOL AFTER THE COVID PANDEMIC

January 31, 2021 /

Written by Feba Maryann 

The back-to-school phenomenon would have never been this exciting for children, if not for the pandemic. But when the biggest ambitions get zeroed upon a single concern, how do you help yourself with a dash of optimism?  Read on to find out! 

What Is The Role Of Children In The Dissemination Of The Virus? 

Considering that the research around this question has not reached its apex, it would be safer to say that the role of children in the transmission is not yet fully understood. However, the small number of outbreaks reported among teaching staff suggests that there is a spread of COVID-19 within educational institutions, though, very few outbreaks involving children have been reported. 

What Are The Consequences Of A School Closure? 

School closures can become a burden to people across various communities and result in disrupting the educational system. Here’s why, 

Interruptions in the learning process:  

  • Children are deprived of opportunities for growth and development when schools remain closed and its impact hits hard on the underprivileged learners who tend to have fewer educational opportunities beyond school. 
  • As schools are hubs of social activity and human interaction, its closure results in social isolation for the youth. 
  • The shift to distance learning platforms is messy and excruciating, even in the best circumstances.  
  • As a result, the youth fall into the spiral of increased influence of peer pressure as the frustration seems to be a fated concern. 

Harder hustle for parents: 

  • As part of assisting children with home-schooling and distance learning, parents, especially those with limited education and resources tend to struggle and that may lead to wage loss and negatively impact productivity. 
  • Or even worse it results in Commonly seen in the nuclear family typology, working parents often have to leave children alone, and this can result in other infelicitous situations. 

What Is The Impact Of Reopening Educational Institutions?  

One good reason to restart the academic year in a full-fledged manner is that some studies show that school reopening will have a negligible impact on the wider transmission of the virus, as children represent a very small percentage of reported cases, with a relatively low death rate and mild symptoms. 

Nevertheless, children with pre-existing medical conditions have been suggested as a risk factor. Therefore, with sufficient precautions, we can come to terms with the new ‘normal’. 

What Are The Measures To Backstop The Transmission Post Reopening Of Schools?  

In most countries, lockdowns have come to an end. As they slowly lift constraints to make a comeback to our normal lives, the reopening of schools is the next in line. A few things that should be monitored apart from the precautions as part of the COVID protocol are:  

  • Wearing cloth face masks should be a priority. 
  • Eliminating the usage of locker facilities. 
  • Reducing the number of children per school transport. 
  • Using outdoor spaces whenever possible for assembly, meals, and recess. 
  • Managing human traffic by restricting them in one-way passages in school hallways. 
  • Spacing desks out, all in one direction. 
  • Effective monitoring and tracing of suspected cases must be ensured. 
  • Make sure even the most minute symptoms are reported. 
  • The functioning of a school clinic should be made mandatory. 
  • If possible, the services of a mobile laboratory must be facilitated to the clinic.    
  • All circulars regarding policies on learning outcomes, educational curriculum, health, and well-being of children and teaching staff must be followed with immediate effect. 
  • Restrictions regarding attendance must not be strictly imposed, for the time being. 
  • The local governing administrative bodies should be well informed to exercise thorough supervision in schools. 
  • Based on what is learned from this monitoring, further changes should be made to continue to provide children and staff with the safest environment possible. 

What Will Be The Post-Vaccine Scenario In Schools? 

Questions such as the efficiency, duration of protection, and chances of any long term or chronic side effects of the vaccine are yet to be answered.  

However, a COVID-19 vaccine for all children is still a long way off but once reopening is initiated, schools will likely have to continue with mitigation efforts such as social distancing and mask-wearing especially in its inceptive stage.