Gujarat: Academic sessions in schools by June-end

GANDHINAGAR: The government of Gujarat has initiated discussions with school managements of the state to begin the academic year by June end with stringent social distancing and hygiene measures in place. However, the government is yet to open a dialogue with parents’ bodies.
A key source in the state education department confirmed that discussions have begun between the government, GCERT, teacher’s bodies and school authorities on when the academic year in schools can be initiated.“We have proposed the idea of running schools in two shifts to ensure social distancing, running schools on an odd-even pattern, making masks compulsory, changes in the syllabus, regular sanitization of schools and even holding online sessions to whatever extent possible,” sources in the government said.
“We are beginning to gather feedbacks and suggestions from school managements on the possible measures that can be adopted so that schools can begin functioning even while the safety of students is maintained at all costs. The government will take a decision on this issue in the next few days,” the sources said.
Archit Bhatt, president, Ahmedabad Progressive School Management Association however said that the government has still not consulted the body.
“Our CBSE school members have begun online courses from April itself and these will continue so that education of the students does not get compromised. Under normal circumstances, schools start from June 8, but since vacations in colleges has been extended, we expect extension in school vacations as well,” said Bhatt.
Schools are of the opinion that maintaining social distancing might turn out to be a very challenging task in schools. “Classrooms in most schools are small and maintaining social distancing might be difficult to implement. Moreover, measuring temperatures of students on a daily basis will be very challenging. Sanitizing the entire school premises on a daily basis is not an affordable option,” Bhatt said.
Schools feel that all these issues need to be discussed in detail before any directions are issued by the government. “As far as syllabus is concerned, the CBSE decides it. However, the government needs to have wider consultations with all stakeholders before finalizing anything,” Bhatt said.
Bhaskar Patel, president, Gujarat state school management association said that earlier, a class had 45 students, which has increased to around 65 now. “Cost of doubling shifts for social distancing, using masks, sanitization of schools and all such measures have major impact on fee structure. The government needs to clear all these issues and even announce support measures to schools,” he said.