NOIDA: Even as public and private schools have begun preparations to implement the state government directive to start classes for students of 9-12 grades from August 16 in two batches under Covid protocols, parents are an unhappy lot.
Parents say that given the prediction of a Covid third wave, the government's decision to reopen schools is not a wise move and should be revoked till children are vaccinated. The Gautam Buddh Nagar parents' association will soon meet the district magistrate and submit a memorandum addressed to the UP chief minister.
Yatendra Kasana, president of All Noida School Parents Association (ANSPA), said, "The decision to reopen schools by the government is a hasty one as the third wave of Covid-19 is expected within months, as per alerts across the world, including from the central government. Also, the alerts mention the third wave is likely to affect children more this time for the lack of vaccination."
In an online survey conducted within the local parents' group by ANSPA, 90% of the respondents were against the decision to reopen schools.
Rajni Singh, a resident of Cleo County Apartments in Sector 121, is hesitant to send her son back to school so soon. "I have concerns regarding the health of my child as Covid-19 is still around. Whatever learning is required is happening via online classes," she said.
Another parent whose daughter studies in Amity International School said that schools should not reopen as students are too young to maintain social distancing norms carefully for about four hours. "Also, it would be difficult for school authorities to maintain daily sanitisation. School is a public place where students from different locations come to study," she said.
However, Renu Singh, director-principal of Amity International School, Noida, assured that the adequate steps have been taken to ensure the safety of students and the staff.
"We are getting the school building sanitised and all other expected Covid -19 protocols are in place. We are waiting for consent from the parents to send their wards to school. As of now, the re-opening is being planned for grades VIII to XII and since the strength will be 50 percent, we have requested the parents to pick and drop their wards,"she added.
When contacted, Dharamveer Singh, district inspector of schools, told TOI, "We are ready to implement the government directive. All steps with regard to social distancing and sanitisation will be carried out. The classes will be held in two batches from 8am to 12 noon and from 12.30pm to 4.30 pm at 50% capacity."
