Nagpur: Physical classes for classes I-VII have again been postponed in the city till at least December 15, as officials await more information on the severity of Omicron. In rural areas, classes I-XII continue to work in physical mode even after the state government gives them a green signal.
However, it poses a major academic challenge for students from poor socio-economic backgrounds as they are unable to access online classes.
Senior Educationist Ashok villagekari Said, “Now we are in a situation where we are forcibly denying education to school children. They cannot attend online classes as it requires a smartphone and a data pack. Both of these are expenses that make the slum- Students coming from slums are out of reach. Both their parents are barely earning Rs.8,000 per month. Hence, there is no possibility of spending money on smartphones or monthly data packs.”
school closure, senior academic Ashok Gawankari Say, would have been a criminal offense in pre-covid times. “According to the Right to Education (RTE) Act, children in the specified age group cannot be denied education. Before 2020, if this were the case, the school director or the parent or whoever prevented the child from attending school is stopping, be arrested,” said Gawankar.
But whenever schools were ordered to close, the government raised concerns over the health of unvaccinated children.
Another senior educationist, who agreed with Gawankar’s view, said the government’s policy was flawed. “They have given the local authorities the power to reopen which is wrong. Now, just go and stand on the border” Nagpur City, Within a radius of 1 km, you will find at least one school on either side of the border,” he said.
“So, you walk half a kilometer towards rural and children can attend classes from class 1-XII. But you walk half kilometer towards city, and only children of classes VIII-XII can participate. I I want to understand what is the scientific and medical phenomenon. Children of the same age group become vulnerable within municipal limits,” said the academic.
An education official told TOI that these changing policies are confusing even for his department. “Our offices are located in the city, but the Zilla Parishad schools under our direct jurisdiction are located in rural. Many school principals in the city come to us for administrative work and ask when the rural schools are functioning as per normal schedule. So why can’t they reopen,” he said. official.
However, it poses a major academic challenge for students from poor socio-economic backgrounds as they are unable to access online classes.
Senior Educationist Ashok villagekari Said, “Now we are in a situation where we are forcibly denying education to school children. They cannot attend online classes as it requires a smartphone and a data pack. Both of these are expenses that make the slum- Students coming from slums are out of reach. Both their parents are barely earning Rs.8,000 per month. Hence, there is no possibility of spending money on smartphones or monthly data packs.”
school closure, senior academic Ashok Gawankari Say, would have been a criminal offense in pre-covid times. “According to the Right to Education (RTE) Act, children in the specified age group cannot be denied education. Before 2020, if this were the case, the school director or the parent or whoever prevented the child from attending school is stopping, be arrested,” said Gawankar.
But whenever schools were ordered to close, the government raised concerns over the health of unvaccinated children.
Another senior educationist, who agreed with Gawankar’s view, said the government’s policy was flawed. “They have given the local authorities the power to reopen which is wrong. Now, just go and stand on the border” Nagpur City, Within a radius of 1 km, you will find at least one school on either side of the border,” he said.
“So, you walk half a kilometer towards rural and children can attend classes from class 1-XII. But you walk half kilometer towards city, and only children of classes VIII-XII can participate. I I want to understand what is the scientific and medical phenomenon. Children of the same age group become vulnerable within municipal limits,” said the academic.
An education official told TOI that these changing policies are confusing even for his department. “Our offices are located in the city, but the Zilla Parishad schools under our direct jurisdiction are located in rural. Many school principals in the city come to us for administrative work and ask when the rural schools are functioning as per normal schedule. So why can’t they reopen,” he said. official.
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