Let all states reopen their schools

Four states — Delhi, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Assam — reopened schools earlier this month after more than a year of disruption in learning. Eight other states had reopened schools in August, bringing the tally of states with classroom teaching to 12. Other states must follow suit. India’s young population, roughly a quarter of the total, cannot afford any further disruption in their learning. Their lifetime earnings are at stake, nothing less.

The resumption of schooling, however, is not just letting go of the pause button. An overwhelming number of schoolgoers are either the first-generation learners or have parents with limited schooling. That means that, for many, there has been no home support in furthering learning over the past year. Therefore, the back-to-school programme must acknowledge the loss in learning, and the erosion of learning outcomes must be remedied. It is not a case of picking up from where schools were shut down to slow down the spread of Covid-19. Digital and online schooling has deepened the inequality in learning. The loss of nutrition due to absent school midday meals is another reason to reopen schools. The danger of Covid has not passed, so protocols need to be observed. There are already cases of mystery fever afflicting children, in different parts of the country. Ensuring safety and well-being is critical.

Reopening schools is the right move. The remaining states must follow. But it has to be more than just reopening schools. Resources must flow to ensure that disruption of the past year do not have lasting impacts. It must also mean planning to address the structural inequities of access to critical resources, be it books, electronic instruments or facilities. The focus must be on remedying the disruption.