BHOPAL: Future of play schools is hanging in balance in the absence of adequate number of admissions. Even though the state government has allowed campuses to reopen, majority of play schools are still closed as they are waiting for fresh admissions.
Notably, around 60% of the play schools have been completely closed due to Covid lockdown. Ever since the lockdown was imposed, play schools have suffered the most.
School owners said that neither the government nor parents have supported them. “I do not know what will be our future? I had a school in Arera Colony which I have closed down. It was on rent and it was not possible for me to keep paying rent without any fee as students are not there,” said a school owner without quoting her name.
The school owner claimed that the majority of play schools that were running on rent in Bhopal have been permanently closed. “We have been playing a key role in the development of students. Now, the either the play schools are closed or the infrastructure is being used for some social gatherings like wedding functions and others,” she added. School owners said that they will never think about opening play schools in future after suffering such a huge loss. “I wanted to continue my school as the strength of students before Covid was very good.
However, after the lockdown the scene has changed. Most of the parents have taken out their children even without paying fee,” said a school owner, without quoting her name. As a result, several teachers and support staff have lost their jobs.
“Play schools used to generate good employment . All the teachers are now sitting idle at home. What is their mistake? It has put pressure on their home budget as most of the women were into play school teaching and were supporting their families,” said a school teacher Preeti Malviya. Now, the biggest challenge for play schools is how to bring the children back to campus.
