Despite state govt allowing schools to reopen, Gurgaon schools stay shut as parents wary of sending kids

Haryana government has allowed reopening of schools for classes IX to XII from July 16, and classes VI to VII starting this Friday. In Gurgaon, however, barring government schools, most private schools have chosen to remain shut, largely because parents are wary of sending their kids to school right now amidst the pandemic.
Last week, the Haryana government permitted all schools in the state to reopen after being shut for three months due to the pandemic. However, schools were asked to put in place a protocol for reopening, and laid down certain conditions, which included holding classes with 50% capacity with students attending on alternate days, sanitising the campus, mandatory thermal scanners at the entrance, and getting approval from parents before holding physical classes. The last caveat is why private schools have found themselves unable to restart physical classes. “We cannot reopen, since most of the parents are wary of sending their children to school right now. Without parents’ consent, it’s a futile exercise, as the turnout would be low,” says the principal of a leading private school, who does not wish to be named.
Several schools deliberated over the weekend and decided that they will reopen only when all the students can come to classes. Ashish Singh, a teacher with another private school that will remain shut, tells us, “The management has decided to not reopen the school till all the parents are comfortable with sending their kids to school. It would be unfair if some students attend and others can’t. Most schools are deciding the same.” Most private schools say they will take a call on reopening in August. Teachers may resume coming to schools this week.
A combination of apprehensions about a possible third wave and lack of vaccines for kids is what is stopping parents in the Millennium City from sending their wards back to school. Reeti Jha, parent to a 14-year-old boy, tells us, “It’s true that the daily number of cases has dropped and the positivity rate is also low, but that was the situation in March too. Then the second wave happened. I am very scared of something like that happening again and do not want to expose my son to the virus, which is why I conveyed to the school that I wouldn’t send him back just yet.” Danish Khan, father to two kids in classes VIII and X, adds, “Most offices that are calling people back in the city are encouraging only those employees to come to office who are fully vaccinated. It reduces risk of infection. But children haven’t been vaccinated yet. Until that happens, I am not comfortable sending them back to school.”
Many say they are concerned about reports that the new variant may be particularly harmful to those under 18. “In the first wave, the worst affected were the senior citizens, but the second wave saw people in their 30s and 40s lose their lives. I have read doctors’ statements that a third wave may target minors as they have no built-up immunity. Even if it is remotely possible, sending kids to school right now doesn’t seem like a smart idea to me,” says Rakesh Agarwal, who has two children aged 16 and 17.
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