Even as resumption of in-person classes in schools for the younger standards has been put on hold in Mumbai, attendance in the higher standards are expected to see a drop, as per a nationwide survey conducted based on the Omicron threat. The survey further claims that the threat of the new COVID variant will have a direct impact on parents’ willingness to send their children to schools.

The survey has been conducted by Local Circles—a community social media platform that has been active throughout the pandemic in ensuring that the collective opinion of parents of school children reaches the government, especially regarding reopening and closure. The question that was asked to parents as part of the survey is, “With the threat of COVID variant Omicron on the horizon, what is your view on sending your children/grandchildren to school for in-person classes?” About 32 per cent of the respondents, who have not been sending their wards to in-person classes, said that they would continue to do so till there is more clarity. Another 10 per cent said, “Schools where our children/grandchildren study have not started in-person classes yet”. The findings further indicate that schools in India are likely to see a 14 per cent drop in students attending in-person classes immediately with more students dropping out eventually.