Schooling in COVID- Summary of concerns

SCHOOLING DURING COVID PANDEMIC- CHALLENGES AND POSSIBLE MEASURES OF MITIGATION

A WRITE UP FOR THE STUDENTS OF THE STATE OF MAHARASHTRA STUDYING IN SCHOOLS OF THE STATE BOARD

                              

INTRODUCTION

Schools in Maharashtra have been closed since the second week of March 2020 due to the COVID Epidemic. This period was the least challenging as decision regarding impending exam was taken immediately and then schools took a break for vacations.

Several documents about maintaining safety from the CORONAVIRUS have been issued by various authorities. They can guide the measures for safety from virus. This write- up is exclusively about the issues related to child mental health- namely learning, development and prevention of mental illness.

STAKEHOLDERS AND POSSIBLE CONCERNS

1.      CHILDREN- Learning, Socialisation, co-curricular activities

2.      PARENTS- Safety, academic challenges, motivation for schooling, child minding

3.      TEACHERS- changed modes and teaching methods, job security, financial security, safety

4.      SCHOOL ADMINISTRATION- Safety of all, logistics of organizing, maintaining financial stability, ensuring compliance with regulations

5.      AUTHORITIES- ability to foresee and plan, be fair to all stakeholders, timely action

6.      MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS- prevention of mental health disorders, prevention of detrimental psychological reactions in all stakeholders but particularly in children, ensure adequate learning outcomes in children, maintain developmental trajectories in children, promote resilience and learning of coping skills

CHALLENGES

1.      Extreme heterogeneity of school settings- rural, semi urban and urban. And accompanying culture and priorities

2.      Wide disparities in facilities in schools- space, time, teaching aids

3.      Lack of examples that can be followed or at least used as a benchmark

4.      Children are low priority group and education is low priority sector and in context of pandemic and economic chaos- their importance has further gone down

APPROACH

1.      Children’s well- being must be the first priority

2.      All stakeholders should get a fair consideration. However, in case of conflict of interest, the child’s well being must be given precedence

3.      Guidelines should be timely and time bound. They need to be revised periodically to ensure gradual return to normal

4.      Feasibility should be considered

5.      All schooling methods should be considered

6.      Based on literature available about children’s health, development, learning and related areas

MITIGATION STRATEGIES

1.      Adjustment of syllabi

2.      Adjustment of pace of teaching

3.      Multiple modes of teaching- live online, recorded video, etc. should be flexible and contextual

4.      Consider greater contribution of parents and siblings including home schooling

5.      Modify role of schools as mentors and guides rather than only directly imparting education

6.      Include indicators of irregular school-work and learning problems

7.      Provide for assessments and remediation of learning problems

8.      Consider reasonable concessions for all stake holders