Covid-19: Experts divided over impacts on child health

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: Dispur's move to reopen schools from Class I has divided experts in their opinions about positive and negative impacts of such move.

A doctor at the Department of Pediatrics, Gauhati Medical College & Hospital (GMCH) said it is tough to say when it will be suitable and safe to reopen schools for all classes. He said experts across the world have not been able to tell unequivocally when the Covid-19 infection will stop or slow down.

"Coronavirus is a new virus for the world. There are many aspects still unknown about the characteristics and behavior of this virus. Under such circumstances one should not take the risk of allowing all children particularly those studying in primary and upper primary classes to go to schools," the doctor said.

All educational institutions and schools in Assam will reopen in a phased manner from next month with physical classes in colleges, universities and technical institutions as well as for class 9 students to resume from October 1. Offline classes for students of classes 1 to 8 will begin from October 19.

For students from classes I to VIII, classes will be held three days a week on alternate days. Parents or guardians are required to give their written consent for their wards to attend offline classes. The institutions will also have to ensure the continuation with online classes.

An academician and researcher while supporting the State Government's move reopen schools from October 19, said continuation of online classes for almost two years due to Covid-19 pandemic has adversely affected learning abilities of children especially those from primary classes. "Covid-19 is unlikely to vanish from this earth for quite a long time. We have to learn to live Covid-19," the academician said. Citing a UNESCO report the academician said school closures in India for more than 500 days have affected over 320 million children. It has hit hard children from the relatively deprived hamlets and slums with many not being able to read more than a few words.

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