Self-financed schools demand reopening, threaten to halt online classes

Vadodara: The Self-Financed School Management Association (SFSMA) on Monday submitted a memorandum to the district education officer (DEO) requesting the Gujarat government to allow schools to reopen for classes 9 to 12.
SFSMA’s state-level body had appealed its members to submit such memorandums to respective DEOs. In Vadodara, more than 100 representatives, office-bearers and members of private school management submitted a memorandum to Vadodara DEO at Karelibaug.
The memorandum states that the state government had given green signal to coaching classes, government schools, religious places to reopen as per standard operating procedures (SOPs) but the demand of self-financed schools to reopen classes for 9- 12 students is not being taken into consideration.
“Students are missing out on interaction with peers and teachers. There is also a learning gap. We will have to test the efficacy of online studies for which schools need to reopen. If one is looking at risk factors, there is risk in opening swimming pools and cinema halls as well,” said educationist Tejal Amin.
“Compared to coaching classes, schools have bigger rooms with proper air circulation. Why cannot self-financed schools be allowed to reopen for classes 9-12? If ‘sheri shalas’ can be reopened, why cannot self-finance schools reopen” questioned Utpal Shah, Vadodara zone president of SFSMA.
SFSMA has threatened to intensify their stir and even halt online education if its demand is not addressed. The memorandum states that the majority of state governments have prepared a roadmap to reopen schools.