The itch to write resurfaced much like the eczema that sprouts on the onset of the hot, sweltering summers. I admit the analogy is pretty gross and I offer my apologies. However, the reason that prompted me to write after almost over a year is the pathetic plight of school kids.
As is evident we seem to have an extended summer this year. Even as I type out this article, it’s 5pm and the India Meteorological Department portal is showing Panjim has a temperature of 35.2 degrees celsius. When the evenings are so terribly warm, imagine the status during the day. The average temperature for the past week was far from inviting.
Furthermore, under the Weather report page one for the week ending June 7, 2023, varied forms of rainfall is indicated by ‘NIL’ except in some places on the first of June. The forecast too is not very promising.
All said and done, extended summers unfortunately do not translate into extended vacations for the perspiring kids. Ideally in the given circumstances, school and higher secondary schools could have been postponed and the lost working days could have been compensated during the October break. Else if possible schools could have started early mornings or students be relieved by 10.30 or 11.00 am. Extra lectures can be engaged at a later stage when the climate is more conducive.
In the past, these measures were implemented in states such as Odisha, West Bengal, Jharkhand etc, and even in Goa to some extent. It is interesting to note that according to WUSA9 (2023) a study conducted by Harvard University showed that students scored lower in a hot school year. Another study report of Environmental Protection Agency showed students become cranky, miserable, it impacted their concentration, there was general learning loss and drop in academic performance.
However, researchers observed 78% drop in all the above issues once air conditioners or coolers were installed. Other studies have not ruled out a jump in the rate of absenteeism and decline in cognitive learning due to rise in temperatures. Thus, climatic conditions play a significant role in the teaching learning process.
Granted it’s challenging both to teach and learn in hot oppressive climate but there are many less fortunate who day in and day out have to face many additional challenges. Be it frequent power failures, tinned roofs, no proper ventilators, at times shortage of drinking water add to it the psychological, social and emotional stressors. The heat only aggravates and escalates these stressors. Little wonder children eventually end up taking a genuine dislike for school.
Policy makers should step out of their air conditioned environs and practically have a close look as to what happens in these campuses. Kids drenched in sweat, restless, irritated and at times dehydrated. Are they seriously learning anything? I have my doubts. You don’t require rocket science to read their minds. Well take it from me –If they have anything on their minds then it’s got to be the final unusually long bell heralding their release. Once home, most of them collapse in bed for the next four hours straight.
At the end of the day, society needs to shed its blinkers and seriously do some self introspection. Are we failing our children? …did I hear a chuckle and a remark- ‘We are readying them for the climate change horrors…’ God have mercy.
