Rethinking School and College Reopening in India Post-Lockdown: A Comprehensive Guide

After the severe lockdowns, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) has been working tirelessly to control the spread of the coronavirus. As we approach the winter months, the nation's focus remains on vaccination drives, aiming to achieve herd immunity. This article will explore the current state of reopening schools and colleges in India, backed by data from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and personal perspectives from different states.

Current Trends in Active Cases and Recoveries

According to Google's data, the number of active cases in India and specifically in West Bengal has been fluctuating. However, the increasing rate of recoveries indicates a positive trend. Nonetheless, the MHA has cautioned that the situation remains unpredictable, especially with the emergence of new variants.

Vaccination and Herd Immunity

As of now, vaccination is crucial for achieving herd immunity. The MHA's projections estimate that a large-scale vaccination drive will be completed by early 2022. Until then, educational institutions are not expected to open fully. According to reports, some PhD students and researchers in West Bengal have been called back, while medical colleges have resumed full offline operations. However, it is unlikely that schools and colleges will fully reopen before late 2022 or early 2023.

Political Brigades and Education

The recent political activities, particularly the visits by High Profile Political figures, have raised concerns. It's disheartening that while political gatherings are allowed without any restrictions, educational institutions remain closed. This situation highlights the lack of prioritization of public health over political gains. The closure of educational institutions is not only affecting the current academic year but also the future of students and their education.

Government Guidelines and Reopening Plans

The MHA, on 30th September, released new guidelines for the reopening of schools and other higher technical institutions. For schools and coaching institutions in India, states and UT governments have been given the flexibility to decide on reopening after 15th October. However, for colleges and higher educational institutions, the decision will be taken in consultation with the Ministry of Home Affairs.

For higher education institutions, the MHA has allowed only research scholars, PhD students, PG students from Science, and Tech, who require laboratory work, to resume activities after 15th October. The online mode of education will remain the preferred method and will be encouraged.

Statewise Reopening Decisions

Various states have made their decisions regarding the reopening of schools and colleges:

West Bengal has delayed the decision to reopen schools till mid-November. Maharashtra has decided not to reopen schools until at least 31st October. Andhra Pradesh has decided to defer the reopening of schools until 2nd November. The Delhi government has pushed the date to reopen schools from 5th October to 31st October.

In conclusion, while there is some movement towards a phased reopening, the predominant preference remains on keeping educational institutions closed until late 2022 or early 2023. This decision is based on the ongoing vaccination drives and the unpredictable nature of the virus, particularly with the emergence of new variants.

Final Thoughts

While the situation is frustrating, it is crucial for the safety and well-being of our communities. The guidelines and policies in place aim to ensure that educational institutions can open safely and effectively when the time is right. Until then, online education and distance learning will continue to play a significant role in the educational landscape of India.