Most parents are against reopening of schools in UT

CHANDIGARH: A major chunk of parents of students studying in government schools of the UT Chandigarh have given a negative response on reopening of schools. According to the details shared by the school heads, only a few parents of students studying up to class VIII have given their consent. According to parents, not only students, but the entire family, including their grandparents, are at the risk of contracting Covid-19.
It was on Monday that the UT education department had asked principals and heads of government schools to organise online parent-teacher meeting of all classes to seek comment from parents. However, only 5 % to 15 % parents attended the online PTM in most schools and therefore teachers had to seek their comments via WhatsApp.
A principal, requesting anonymity, said, “Mix responses are coming in from parents. Up to class VIII, a majorly parents are not willing to send their children to school. Again, more than 50 % parents of students studying in classes IX to XII want to send their wards to school.”
In another school, around 40 % parents agreed to send their kids to school.
A teacher requesting anonymity shared, “Only 5 % to 10 % parents attended the online PTM in a few schools. So teachers asked for their consent via WhatsApp. We are yet to receive their reply.”
Some schools are yet to send their report to the education department. Teachers shared that they too have been asked to give their view on sending their children to school and they have refused keeping in view the current scenario.
“Consent has been sought from parents for reopening. I have asked parents of my class students and I myself have given a negative reply to school where my child studies. I and my fellow teachers feel that it is not yet safe to reopen schools. Already classes IX to XII are witnessing low attendance,” said one of the teachers.”