Don’t rush to open schools, Rohan Khaunte tells Goa CM Pramod Sawant

PANAJI: Given the spike in Covid-19 cases in Goa, the government's decision to reopen schools needs to be reviewed, said Porvorim MLA Rohan Khaunte on Sunday. Khaunte said that it will be extremely difficult to follow Covid protocols or prevent rapid transmission amongst the students in school classrooms.
Expressing his apprehensions, Khaunte has appealed to chief minister Pramod Sawant, who holds the education portfolio, to discuss the advantages and disadvantages of opening schools with teachers and parents.
“It will be extremely difficult to ensure Covid protocols or negate a rapid transmission possibility amongst the students,” said Khaunte. “I also have serious concerns as a parent myself, regarding the government decision to open up schools especially for 9th to 12th students.”
The former revenue minister pointed out that with a majority of Covid-19 patients being asymptomatic, there is no clear way to keep students away from the virus. Khaunte agreed that regular classes are the most beneficial for students but given the spike in Covid-19 cases, regular classes pose a bigger risk.
“I fervently urge the chief minister not to rush into a decision. There’s a need to mull over the pros and cons with the teaching community and parents to formulate a safe way to conduct regular classes, if the same are absolutely unavoidable,” said Khaunte.
The Porvorim MLA also lauded health minister Vishwajit Rane’s initiative to provide free Covid kits to those who opt for home quarantine. However, Khaunte said that he is also apprehensive about the government’s intentions while distributing the free medicines and equipment.