DPI conducts survey seeking parents’ opinion on reopening schools

Mysuru: Classes having reopened for PU students and those in classes IX and X after a gap of five months, the department of public instruction (DPI) ordered a survey seeking parents’ opinion on inviting students from classes I to VIII back to the campus. Principals of private schools said that they had been instructed by the DPI officials to collate parents’ opinions on a Google form, which was to be submitted at the earliest. Teachers and principals of many schools in Mysuru have asked parents to proffer their views no later than 10am on Tuesday.
Students of primary and higher primary classes have stayed off the campus since March 2020, and experts in the education sector have been urging the government to bring them back on the campus in view of the need for their holistic development.
Staff at private schools said that the officials wished to learn if parents were in favour of their wards attending schools the entire day, for half a day or preferred to continue online classes.
Primary and secondary education minister BC Nagesh said, “It is an unofficial survey being carried out by the block education officer to ascertain parents’ thoughts on restarting classes. It is not part of any decision-making process. Parents are the key stakeholders, and our decision on reopening schools must factor in their opinion.”
Nagesh pointed to the joy with which most students had returned to campuses on Monday. “They were delighted to be back at their schools and colleges,” the minister said.
Parents are understandably pleased with their opinion being sought on reopening schools. “Decisions should not be imposed on us, since we are the real stakeholders. Parents must be consulted before any decision on reopening schools is taken. The decision to conduct such a survey is welcome,” said Santosh Kamat, a Mysuru-based parent.