Mixed emotions to school reopening

Parents are worried about the physical and emotional repercussions of online learning on children, while also fearing the difficulty in following COVID-19-appropriate behaviour in schools.

The government decision to reopen schools has evoked mixed reactions from students, parents, and teachers.

While it has been welcomed by many parents who are worried about the physical, social, and emotional repercussions on children of such a long gap away from physical schooling, others are worried about the COVID-19 numbers that seem to have plateaued the past few days. Many parents are concerned that primary students may find it difficult to follow COVID-19-appropriate behaviour, especially as vaccinations for children are shrouded in uncertainty.

A teacher at Government Vocational and Higher Secondary School for Girls, Manacaud, says it is time students returned to school. “We cannot even begin to understand what the students, especially girls, are going through.”