As the government has decided to open schools both in winter and summer zones of the UT, it’s a welcome step and will see students going to schools after at least one year.
The schools according to the government notification will be thrown open from March 1 for classes IX and X. The teachers, however have been asked to attend classes regularly from March 1 and after March 8, all the lower and elementary classes will also been opened. The educational institutions across J&K has already been preparing for opening the schools in the physical form, though many of the schools were functioning on the virtual mode or using online classes which was a good step but could in no way replace the proper way of schooling.
The decision to close the educational institutions was taken soon after the first cases of Covid19 were found in Kashmir and Jammu regions of the state. However, we are still in pandemic, the covid19 is still around and dozens more cases are found every day, though compared to previous months, there has been decline in the positive cases and also the number of deaths.
However, we should in no way lower our guard as has been seen across UT in past many months especially after the cases declined. The doctors and people associated with medical fraternity have already warned about the second wave which could be more dangerous so with the opening of the schools, the government as well as the administration of schools should remain vigilant and guide students about proper social distancing as well as the washing hands and use of masks which could act as a big safety from the disease.
Though we have vaccine available now however, it may take months or years to vaccinate our population so precautions are must especially among the students. The J&K has already witnessed more than 1.25 lakh positive cases and near about 2000 deaths, however, the good thing is that from last four weeks the cases have been below 100 and people have recovered in large numbers.
So it’s time the government as well as people should lower the guard. The opening of schools couldn’t have been avoided as the students have lost months of precious education due to different reasons especially from 2018. , so with precautions we can start getting our children back to schools as the students have been missing their classrooms and the atmosphere in the schools.
