Finally, Tamil Nadu Government has given its go-ahead for reopening of schools for Class 10 and Class 12 students starting from 1st October 2020.
As per the official guidelines, students of 10th and 12th classes will be allowed to visit their schools on alternate days for taking guidance from teachers. In line with the Unlock 4.0 guidelines, the schools allowed to reopen have been permitted only to hold doubt-solving sessions or guidance sessions for the visiting students and regular classes will remain suspended as of now.
While reopening of schools has been allowed on a voluntary basis for class 10 and 12 students, online classes for the same would continue for all students as was done previously. Releasing SOP, the School Education Department has stated that from October 1st, students from class 10th to 12th can come to schools “on a voluntary basis” for guidance from the teachers.
The school education department has stated that the school administrations can call 50% of the teaching staff who take classes, provide guidance and counselling to the students who come to schools. As per the SOP issued, schools are instructed to divide the students of 10th-12th into two batches and they should be allowed to schools only on alternative days and teachers are also directed to come on batches to help students. However, the schools will remain closed for other class students. Tamil Nadu school education minister Senkottaiyan earlier this week clarified that there is no possibility of reopening schools across the state in the current (pandemic) situation.
This decision comes at the time when students are expressing the difficulties in attending online classes and after the reports of a few students ending their life allegedly after they couldn’t cope up with the online education. Rejecting this idea of asking students to come to school “on voluntary basis”, educationist Prince Gajendrababu slams the decision saying, like a welfare state like Tamil Nadu, this condition of asking students to come voluntarily will not provide an equal playing field and questions whether the school education department is trying to drive down the message of saying that physical classroom is not necessary anymore.
He expresses his doubt asking he is not sure whether the government consulted the Directorate of public education before making a decision and it is unfair to ask students to bring a letter of consent from the parents to attend classes and the government must ensure a safe environment for students.