To Reopen Schools Or Not? Some States Go Ahead, Many In Dilemma

Nearly half the academic year gone, the trade-off between access to education and safety during a pandemic has not been an easy one to negotiate across India.

While some states have opened schools with an abundance of caution, the surge in cases right after despite the safety measures has made other states put their plans on hold.

Tamil Nadu, which had initially announced schools and colleges would resume classes from November 16, will seek the opinion of parents on Monday. Telangana is also holding consultations while Meghalaya will take a call later this month. Sikkim had earlier announced it would resume classes but has now deferred its plans.

The cautionary tale has been that of Andhra Pradesh, where 879 teachers and 575 students have tested positive for Covid-19 so far. While the teachers had all tested positive before school reopened on November 2, the students tested after. Schools have not been shut. But because of the spike in Andhra, neighbouring Odisha has shelved its plan to reopen schools gradually from November 16.