A CORRESPONDENT
ITANAGAR: Itanagar Deputy Commissioner Komkar Dulom convened a consultative meeting with the parents, CBOs, Student Unions, Principals, Headmasters of various schools and colleges to discuss the matter of reopening of schools and colleges in view of COVID-19 pandemic and also to seek suggestions of every stakeholder in the matter.
During the meeting, all the stakeholders unanimously agreed that the State government should not propose to open the schools till August 31. They stressed that prior to opening the schools, the State Government should develop the modalities and devise clear cut SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures).
The parents also expressed similar emotion that the state government should first work out the modalities for a safe environment giving priority to health and hygiene and then only should think of starting schools.
The general secretary of Nyishi Elite Society (NES), Heri Maring stressed on the need to have proper awareness in the school amongst the teachers and the students to remove any kind of fear psychosis. He informed that NES in a meeting with the State Home Minister earlier had already submitted representation wherein they had agreed to the reopening of schools only with proper SOPs.
The Principles of Dera Natung Government College (DNGC), Rajiv Gandhi Government Polytechnic College (RGGPC), Don Bosco College (DBC) also placed their suggestions wherein they informed that online classes have already been started.
President of the Arunachal Pradesh Private School Association, James Techi Tara informed that a survey was conducted wherein the feedbacks of parents were taken which he highlighted had mixed reaction from parents.
Vice President of AAPSU, Meje Taku stressed on the need to have an expert committee comprising all the stakeholders and to prepare the SOPs and then have consultative meetings before deciding on opening of schools.