PANJIM: The COVID-19 Expert Committee of doctors has recommended reopening of schools from the primary to Class VIII in hybrid format (online and offline), as it has noted that there have been no reported instances of increased local transmission of COVID-19 due to reopening classes from IX to XII, from last month.
The panel, constituted to chalk out a detailed plan and standard operating procedures (SOPS) for reopening schools, has also decided to vaccinate children, above 12 years, with co-morbidities, on priority, once the Central government grants its nod for immunisation of children.
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Children up to Class VIII have not attended schools for over 18 months, when the COVID-19 pandemic first hit in March 2020. They completed the academic year 2020-21 in online mode.
Addressing media persons post the meeting, Expert Committee member Dr Shekhar Salkar said that the doctors, majority of who were pediatricians, are of the strong view that it is time children go back to their classrooms. “We have decided to recommend to the task force to allow reopening of classes from I to VIII, adhering to COVID-19 protocols,” he said.
While the task force is of the view that classes can be held in hybrid format initially, Directorate of Education and school managements may take a final call after assessing the ground situation, including school infrastructure, Salkar said.
The expert committee members observed that there have been no reported instances of increased local transmission among students or teachers due to reopening of schools for Class IX to XII last month. “Also, the overall positivity rate has remained below one per cent,” he said, adding, “With the COVID-19 situation under control, this is the right time we open schools.”
The academic year 2021-22 commenced in June ’21 in online mode. In the first phase, colleges were allowed to resume physical classes from July, followed by opening of schools for Std IX to XII from October.
Salkar said that with children being exposed to online learning and missing out schooling, they are suffering psychologically.
The committee also discussed on vaccinating children above 12 years. “Once the central government grants approval, we will go overboard to vaccinate the children. Priority will be given to those with co-morbidities,” he said.
The doctor also said that with the daily caseload under control, there will have to be a wait of another month to see if there is any mutation. “If no, we might escape the third wave,” he said.
