Reopening schools: Educationists say Karnataka government promoting inequity

BENGALURU: Many educationists in the state have slammed the government’s decision to postpone reopening of schools. Over the past few months, several experts in the sector have pushed for schools to reopen as they say prolonged closure will lead to multiple problems including gaps in learning, a higher drop out rate, child marriages, child labour and malnutrition.These problems, they say, are especially pronounced in rural areas.
Sources say the education department is all for reopening schools, while the health department is against it. On Monday, the government decided to go by the health department’s recommendation.
“Unfortunately a one-size- fits-all strategy hurts the poorest children the most. We are driving inequity through this approach,” said Rishikesh BS, faculty, Azim Premji University. “It’s understandable the government is wary of a public fallout should children get infected, but that is the reason why school operations should devolve to the SDMC (school development and monitoring committee). The SDMC should decide when schools should open or shut. This will be a win-win for both disadvantaged parents whose children have had very little formal learning opportunities as well as the government, which will not have to face criticism from people.”
Calling the decision unfortunate, Niranjanaradhya VP, Centre for Child and Law, NLSIU, said it “amounts to abdication of state responsibility”. “Clearly this is decision against poor and disadvantaged communities and their children,” he said. “It is difficult to understand why the chief minister is taking all decisions, bypassing and sidelining the education minister. The state has the primary obligation to uphold and protect the rights of children. It is a clear violation of a fundamental right under the Constitution (article 21A).”
Gurumurthy Kasinathan, director, Centre for Education and Technology, IT for Change, who had also initiated a memorandum to resume regular classes, said, “The decision not to reopen will save lives at no financial cost, but the government is overlooking other terrible costs – that of malnutrition, child labour, early marriages, drop outs and learning loss. Together, these will cause the slow and sure death of children, especially from marginalized groups.”
Children are back in school in many countries, pointed out Kavitha Gupta of Neev Academy who insisted the pandemic is a challenge to civilization and governments “should not make it worse for the next generation by compounding learning losses of the past few months”.
“In some American cities, the public system is closed, but private schools are open,” Gupta said. “In Germany schools are open despite almost all other things being shut. The role of government is clearly defined in helping schools function. Schools in Singapore are running normally with full participation in academics, sports and extracurriculars. Government policy is clear on travel and quarantine to keep the community safe.”
Many others questioned the government’s decision to keep schools closed but allow liquor shops and movie halls to conduct regular business.
Private schools’ associations have also condemned the decision. “This is a painful decision. The government is only considering opening or otherwise option, but is unworried about issues that go along with it — like retaining teachers, keeping budget schools afloat and continued schooling for children. The chief minister has not understood the real problem,” said D Shashi Kumar, secretary, KAMS (Associated Managements of Primary and Secondary Schools in Karnataka).