Back to school: How parents and students can prepare for in-person classes in the new normal

During pre-pandemic times, the thought of school reopening produced a sense of joy for students who were eager to meet old friends, greet new students, and tell everyone about the things they did during the summer. However, in the aftermath of Covid-19, parents, children and teachers are likely to perceive the impending reopening of schools with a note of concern.

In Maharashtra's rural areas, schools are set to resume in-person for Class 5 to Class 12, whereas Class 8 to Class 12 will resume in the urban areas. In Mumbai, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) issued guidelines instructing private and government schools to not have more than 15-20 students in the classroom and, if that number is exceeded, to conduct classes in batches or on alternate days. Attendance is not compulsory and students can only go to school if their parents permit it.

As part of the guidelines, schools will further link themselves with the nearest primary health centre for access as and when required. Air-conditioning and lunch breaks will still not be allowed. The operations will have to be carried out by following strict Covid-19 protocols of wearing masks, maintaining social distancing and washing hands regularly.

With this being the first week of physically getting back to the school routine, many parents, students and teachers are bound to feel anxious. Mid-day reached out to Dr Sonal Anand, a psychiatrist with Wockhardt Hospital in Mira Road, and Dr P G Samdani, senior paediatrician, Bhatia Hospital to understand how all those involved in the schooling ecosystem can approach the process of returning.

With schools reopening, what are the chances of children being affected by Covid-19 within and beyond the classroom?

Samdani: Children are more susceptible because they have not been vaccinated. If they suffer from Covid, the outcome is good in children and it is rare to get complications but the chance does exist.

It is important that whenever there is someone who is sick in the house or suffering from Covid, they should inform the school and should not be allowed till the reports for everyone are clear. This instruction has to be passed on by the school authorities to all the parents and should be strictly followed by the parents.

How can parents mentally prepare their children to attend school after 18 months?

Anand: Parents need to start getting back on the schedule many days before school begins. This includes waking up on time and following morning rituals. Parents should talk enthusiastically about kids going back to school and not put worries in the minds of their kids. They can emphasise on regular hand washing, masking and social distancing, if possible, with a note of calmness. They can encourage kids to revise recent lessons and practise writing so that they are prepared.

As for the students, they should pay attention to their overall physical health. They should learn de-stressing exercises if they are feeling overwhelmed. They should already start following the regular schedule and make sure to do some morning exercise; yoga helps in reducing anxiety as well. Listening to music or participating in art therapy can also help children.

What should parents keep in mind from a health perspective while sending their children to school?

Samdani: Parents must weigh the risk of sending their children to school because it increases the chances of getting the infection, since children don't follow and adhere to the safety protocol of social distancing and wearing masks at all times.

What kind of measures should parents and teachers instruct students to follow while at school?

Samdani: Parents should instruct their children from time to time on the importance of social distancing, mask-wearing and hand washing. If the child gets fever, cough, body pain or comes in contact with a Covid patient, the parents should take precautions by not sending the child to school to avoid spreading the virus to other children.

As far as wearing masks is concerned, since currently they are all going to be higher secondary students, they do understand the importance of wearing masks. If strict vigilance and discipline is maintained by the school teachers it will be possible to make them wear masks at all times. Since they will be sitting at a distance, it will help further to avoid transmission.

What can teachers do to help students get back into the classroom after all these months of online learning?

Anand: Teachers can divide the children into small groups and ask them to discuss the things they want to do in the first week of in-person school. The teacher should encourage students to talk about their worries and excitement and give them an idea about what to expect.

What signs should parents look for to understand their child's discomfort with the changes in their schooling life?

Anand: Most children talk about their discomfort and express their fears if asked. However, given the current scenario children might find it difficult to convey their anxieties. Parents should keep an eye out for signs like crying easily, absolute refusal for school, irritability, reduced appetite, frequent headaches, difficulty sleeping.

How can schools make it easier for students to have all-round growth with education and sports, as the latter forms a major part of one's childhood, while maintaining Covid-19 protocol?

Samdani:
-Sports activities in school can be allowed only if the school staff are ready to monitor the standard operating protocol.
-All such activities including classes have to come to a halt, if there are few cases detected and testing should be done.

Anand: Physical sports need to be emphasised more as children have lost more than a year of sports. Schools should follow 10 to 15 minutes of physical activity for everyone in the morning. School counsellors should be easily available as some children might have gone through stress at home. Even class teachers should be sensitised to keep an eye on the emotional wellbeing of kids. Younger children might want to engage in team sports. Initially non-team sports can help boost the confidence of students and the teachers.

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