Is it safe to reopen schools during the pandemic?
4 years, 4 months ago

Is it safe to reopen schools during the pandemic?

Associated Press  

Is it safe for schools to reopen during the pandemic? In areas where the virus is poorly controlled, public health experts say in-person education would be too risky. In areas where the virus appears to be under control, experts say schools still need to make adjustments to minimize risk when reopening. And even though children appear less likely to get infected than adults, and less likely to become seriously ill when they do, severe cases and deaths have occurred. To reduce risk, experts say schools should make adjustments when resuming in-person classes.

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History of this topic

Column: Closing schools in the pandemic was bad. Keeping them all open would have been worse
2 years, 1 month ago

Column: Closing schools in the pandemic was bad. Keeping them all open would have been worse

LA Times  

A pupil at Weaverville Elementary School in Weaverville, Calif., works on a classroom assignment in March 2021, when rural schools remained open despite the pandemic. The question that never gets raised, much less answered, when the conversation turns to how bad the school closures were, is: “Compared to what?” “What would have happened had schools remained open without any mitigation …

Closing schools to force parents to work from home was simply wrong, says union
2 years, 2 months ago

Closing schools to force parents to work from home was simply wrong, says union

NL Times  

The second coronavirus-related school closures in the Netherlands in mid-December 2020 caused “confusion and frustration among parents” because the Cabinet said the closures were to let parents work from home, not to protect the children, the Dutch Safety Board said in its second coronavirus report on Wednesday. “This report confirms that the school closures were also taken to force parents …

Covid: Delhi schools step up measures, experts not in favour of closure
2 years, 4 months ago

Covid: Delhi schools step up measures, experts not in favour of closure

India TV News  

Highlights Rise in COVID-19 cases in Delhi has brought back concerns about school-going children Health experts believe schools should not be closed As a result of Covid cases, school managements are bringing measures Covid News: The rise in COVID-19 cases in Delhi has brought back concerns about school-going children, prompting the institutions to come up with online classes and recorded …

Maharashtra schools to reopen on June 15 with all possible precautions: Education minister
2 years, 6 months ago

Maharashtra schools to reopen on June 15 with all possible precautions: Education minister

India Today  

Maharashtra schools will reopen on June 15 with all possible precautions, said Education Minister Varsha Gaikwad on Monday. The education minister said that students in Classes 1 and 2 have never been to school due to the Covid-19 pandemic for the last two years. School-going students have been severely impacted due to the Covid-19 curbs in the last two years …

What About Kids at Malls & Functions, Ask Experts as Rising Covid Cases Bring Back School Closure Demand
2 years, 8 months ago

What About Kids at Malls & Functions, Ask Experts as Rising Covid Cases Bring Back School Closure Demand

News 18  

With a rise in the number of school-going children catching coronavirus in India, especially in Delhi and neighbouring areas, the demand to shut schools and cancel exams is back. The virus spread irrespective of opening of schools,” believes Naman Jain, Education Expert and Director, Silverline Prestige School, Ghaziabad, who is currently running the school in accordance with strict Covid-19 protocol. …

State schools need our urgent attention
2 years, 9 months ago

State schools need our urgent attention

Hindustan Times  

Close to four million students shifted to State-run schools in 2020-21, according to the Union ministry of education’s Unified District Information System for Education report. The report shows that the bulk of the drop in the enrolment from pre-primary to Class 12 was found in the early classes and that nearly 75% of schools did not have internet facilities and …

UP Schools Reopening From February 14 for all Classes
2 years, 10 months ago

UP Schools Reopening From February 14 for all Classes

News 18  

Amidst decreasing covid-19 cases, the Uttar Pradesh government now has decided reopen the schools for classes nursery to 12 from Monday, February 14. As per the government’s notice, “Schools will reopen for classes Nursery to 8 from February 14 with the strict following of COVID protocols till further orders.” Read|Schools for Classes 10 to 12 to Reopen in Haryana from …

School reopening pressure mounts on governments
2 years, 10 months ago

School reopening pressure mounts on governments

India Today  

Covid-19 pandemic doesn't seem to end. The union government is working on a model for staggered opening of schools for physical classes following all Covid-19 related protocols, sources said on Thursday. Parents demanding schools to reopen "As parents have been demanding the opening of schools, the union government is working on a model for staggered opening of schools following all …

Keep schools open, children can't wait: UNICEF
2 years, 10 months ago

Keep schools open, children can't wait: UNICEF

India Today  

Keep schools open amid the Covid-19 pandemic, said an official statement released by UNICEF. Also, World Bank's Global Education Director Jaime Saavedra said that there is no justification now for keeping schools closed in view of the pandemic and even if there are new waves, closing schools should be the last resort, according to the UNICEF Recommendations to reopen schools …

Rajasthan to reopen open schools? Here’s what health minister has to say
2 years, 10 months ago

Rajasthan to reopen open schools? Here’s what health minister has to say

Hindustan Times  

Rajasthan health minister Parsadi Lal Meena on Friday said the Covid-10 pandemic situation is normal in the state with only a few deaths and hospitalisations being registered across districts. Rajasthan health minister parsadi Lal Meena. We will also take a decision soon on the reopening of schools,” the health minister was quoted as saying by news agency ANI. The state …

Centre likely to issue advisory on reopening schools soon: Sources
2 years, 10 months ago

Centre likely to issue advisory on reopening schools soon: Sources

India TV News  

With the COVID-19 vaccination drive for children aged 15 gathering pace, the Centre is likely to issue an advisory soon to reopen schools across the country. Sources have told ANI that, Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya has asked the National Expert Group to suggest ways and work on modalities to open schools nationwide. Top sources have also told ANI that …

Health advisors say relax school quarantine rules, ahead of Tuesday press conference
2 years, 10 months ago

Health advisors say relax school quarantine rules, ahead of Tuesday press conference

Dutch News  

The government’s coronavirus Outbreak Management Team is recommending that the quarantine rules for schools be further relaxed so that entire classes no longer need to be sent home. New health minister Ernst Kuipers has sent the OMT’s recommendations to parliament ahead of Tuesday night’s press conference, during which he and prime minister Mark Rutte, will outline what changes they plan …

Health advisors say relax school quarantine rules, ahead of Tuesday press conference
2 years, 10 months ago

Health advisors say relax school quarantine rules, ahead of Tuesday press conference

Dutch News  

The government’s coronavirus Outbreak Management Team is recommending that the quarantine rules for schools be further relaxed so that entire classes no longer need to be sent home. New health minister Ernst Kuipers has sent the OMT’s recommendations to parliament ahead of Tuesday night’s press conference, during which he and prime minister Mark Rutte, will outline what changes they plan …

Omicron Still Active in Communities, This is Not the Right Time to Reopen Schools
2 years, 10 months ago

Omicron Still Active in Communities, This is Not the Right Time to Reopen Schools

News 18  

Is this the right time to reopen schools? Given the current circumstances, this is not the right time to resume physical classes. The gains made over the last two years as a result of keeping schools closed will be lost if we reopen them immediately. led a normal life with regular check-ups and treatment but COVID has led to deterioration …

Schools are reopening and vaccines are part of the preparation. Here are some of your common questions ahead of the big day
2 years, 11 months ago

Schools are reopening and vaccines are part of the preparation. Here are some of your common questions ahead of the big day

ABC  

Millions of Australian children are gearing up to return to school for term 1, as states and territories begin to outline their back-to-school COVID plans. Experts say COVID-19 vaccination is especially important for children with underlying medical conditions — such as heart or lung disease, diabetes, obesity and severe asthma — who have an increased risk of severe COVID-19. In …

Will consider demand for school reopening in 10-15 days: Maharashtra health minister
2 years, 11 months ago

Will consider demand for school reopening in 10-15 days: Maharashtra health minister

India Today  

Maharashtra Health Minister Rajesh Tope said on Sunday the demand for reopening of schools in Maharashtra will be considered after the next 10-15 days in light of students suffering education loss and the low incidence of Covid-19 infection in children. Speaking to reporters, the health minister said, "Demands are rising from certain quarters for reopening of schools as children are …

'No evidence that reopening schools caused Covid surge': World Bank Education Director
2 years, 11 months ago

'No evidence that reopening schools caused Covid surge': World Bank Education Director

India TV News  

Highlights There is no justification now for keeping schools closed in view of pandemic: World Bank official There is no relation between opening schools and spread of coronavirus, he said. There is no justification now for keeping schools closed in view of the pandemic and even if there are new waves, closing schools should be the last resort, according to …

Lockdown extension, school closures likely announced in Covid press conference tonight
3 years ago

Lockdown extension, school closures likely announced in Covid press conference tonight

NL Times  

In a press conference on Tuesday evening, caretaker Prime Minister Mark Rutte and Health Minister Hugo de Jonge will announce what the coronavirus restrictions will look like over the holiday period. Only drug stores and supermarkets can remain open until 8:00 p.m. Netherlands residents are also urged not to receive more than four visitors per day. Before the press conference …

Maharashtra Health Dept Gives Nod to Reopening Schools But Not Before Vaccinating Kids
3 years, 1 month ago

Maharashtra Health Dept Gives Nod to Reopening Schools But Not Before Vaccinating Kids

News 18  

Even as demands by parents’ groups grow for the reopening of schools for all classes, the decision about it should be taken within a fortnight. This should happen within a fortnight,” Maharashtra Health Minister Rajesh Tope told CNN News18. But, he said that the health department has also added a rider that all children between the age group of 12 …

Schools in Kerala reopen today with Covid-19 protocols
3 years, 1 month ago

Schools in Kerala reopen today with Covid-19 protocols

India Today  

Schools in Kerala are set to re-open in a staggered manner from today, that is, November 1. The schools are being reopened after a period of one-and-a-half-years for Classes 1 to 7, 10 and 12 with Covid-19 protocols like bio-bubbles in place, the state government said on Sunday. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan informed that with 95 percent of the population …

Go Beyond the Syllabus: As Schools Reopen, Children Need Help to Adjust to New Normal
3 years, 1 month ago

Go Beyond the Syllabus: As Schools Reopen, Children Need Help to Adjust to New Normal

News 18  

When schools were shut down seventeen months ago, no one could have predicted how long classes would remain suspended. They apparently feel that their online pedagogy is adequately protecting children from ‘learning loss’. If an achievement survey can prove this, critics of online teaching will be silenced along with those who think that the prolonged school closure has led to …

Schools need to be reopened in a phased manner with multi-layered Covid mitigation steps: ICMR study
3 years, 2 months ago

Schools need to be reopened in a phased manner with multi-layered Covid mitigation steps: ICMR study

India TV News  

The schools need to be reopened in a phased manner, suggested the Indian Council of Medical Research in its latest study. In the opinion piece that has synthesized scientific evidence from within India and abroad on the justification for reopening of schools, experts said knowing that COVID-19 transmission is an "over-dispersed" phenomenon, testing strategies in schools could serve as key …

Covid: Primary schools in Uttarakhand to reopen from Sept 21
3 years, 3 months ago

Covid: Primary schools in Uttarakhand to reopen from Sept 21

Hindustan Times  

Primary schools in Uttarakhand will reopen for classes 1-5 from September 21, after they had been closed for months due to the ongoing coronavirus disease pandemic. Schools in Uttarakhand had first reopened for classes 9-12 from August 2 and then for classes 6-8 from August 16 by following all virus related norms. A nodal officer has to be appointed in …

Some schools reopen in Kathmandu Valley amid pandemic
3 years, 3 months ago

Some schools reopen in Kathmandu Valley amid pandemic

India TV News  

Some schools in the Kathmandu Valley have reopened after being shut down for more than four months amid the Covid-19 pandemic. "A limited number of schools in Kathmandu district have reopened on Friday as per the information that I received in the morning," Govinda Prasad Rijal, chief district officer of Kathmandu, told Xinhua news agency. "We have not yet decided …

Himachal Pradesh schools to remain closed till Sept 21 for regular classes
3 years, 3 months ago

Himachal Pradesh schools to remain closed till Sept 21 for regular classes

India Today  

The Himachal Pradesh government has postponed the reopening of schools for regular classes for one more week due to the Covid-19 situation. The Himachal Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority issued orders to this effect late on Monday. Himachal Pradesh Covid-19 cases The state has been reporting an average of 200 Covid-19 cases daily now. Read: Himachal Pradesh schools closed till …

How school closures have hurt our less fortunate students more
3 years, 3 months ago

How school closures have hurt our less fortunate students more

Live Mint  

With most Indian schools shut for the past year and a half, children from poor households, particularly those from marginalized backgrounds, are rapidly forgetting what they had learned before the pandemic, new survey data suggests. Previous surveys during the pandemic have also reported learning setbacks, but the latest one comes at a time when children are preparing to advance two …

Why the priority should be to reopen primary schools
3 years, 3 months ago

Why the priority should be to reopen primary schools

The Hindu  

At least six States in India reopened schools in mid-August, while schools in Tamil Nadu and Rajasthan reopened on September 1. Finally, the decision is also influenced by fear and apprehension among parents that younger children may be at higher risk,” says Dr. Chandrakant Lahariya, physician-epidemiologist. J-shaped curve In an email, Dr. Lahariya says: “The available global data on age …

The prognosis for school reopenings
3 years, 3 months ago

The prognosis for school reopenings

The Hindu  

Schools began opening in a phased manner across several Indian States on September 1. Editorial | Learning safely: On schools reopening Mathematical models With schools opening across India, will we observe an increase in cases in school children? We start with children at home and then study how cases spread in children and in adults when schools open. Findings of …

Schools in Delhi Reopen Amid Strict COVID-19 Safety Guidelines
3 years, 3 months ago

Schools in Delhi Reopen Amid Strict COVID-19 Safety Guidelines

News 18  

Wearing masks and carrying umbrellas as heavy rains lashed Delhi, students of classes 9-12 returned to schools after they reopened on Wednesday following a long hiatus due to COVID-19. School Reopening LIVE Updates Following a marked improvement in the Covid situation in the national capital, the Delhi government on Friday had announced that schools for classes 9 to 12, colleges …

UP primary schools reopen with good strength
3 years, 3 months ago

UP primary schools reopen with good strength

India Today  

After a wait of more than one year, the primary classes of Classes 1 to 5 have reopened in UP. Schools reopening with good strength India Today reached City Montessori School, Gomti Nagar Extension, Lucknow to see the SOPs and turnout on Day 1. She said that vaccination for primary students was needed as even though schools were maintaining the …

Karnataka allows Classes 6 to 8 to reopen from 6 September but conditions apply
3 years, 3 months ago

Karnataka allows Classes 6 to 8 to reopen from 6 September but conditions apply

Firstpost  

The first batch will contain 50% of students while the remaining 50% will be allowed the following day As the daily COVID-19 cases have declined in Karnataka, the state government has decided to reopen schools for Classes 6 to 8 from 6 September. Following the discussion, Minister R Ashoka informed that the government has decided to reopen schools in areas …

We are not prepared to handle children falling ill severely: Dr Naresh Trehan on schools reopening
3 years, 3 months ago

We are not prepared to handle children falling ill severely: Dr Naresh Trehan on schools reopening

India Today  

Dr Naresh Trehan, Medanta Chairman, warned everyone about the risk of reopening schools amid Covid-19 pandemic. “From the point of view of medical preparedness, we are not prepared to handle children falling ill severely,” he said. Dr Naresh Trehan, Medanta Chairman, further added, “We should learn from the USA. I hope I am proven wrong Covid-19 vaccines for children Dr …

Sept. 1 reopening of schools: Medical community divided over physical classes
3 years, 3 months ago

Sept. 1 reopening of schools: Medical community divided over physical classes

Deccan Chronicle  

Hyderabad: The medical community is divided over the wisdom of holding pysical classes when the Covid-19 vaccination is not accessible to children. While some doctors said that holding physical classes without vaccination is not advisable, others said that staying at home had made children addicted to gadgets, which was a major cause for concern. Dr Lav Kumar Reddy, president Indian …

'Why are we rushing to reopen schools', Medanta's Dr. Naresh Trehan raises alarm
3 years, 3 months ago

'Why are we rushing to reopen schools', Medanta's Dr. Naresh Trehan raises alarm

India TV News  

Dr. Naresh Trehan, chairman of Medanta, has raised an alarm over reopening of schools throughout the country. "Is it that we should be patient for another few months, then a vaccine arrives and children get vaccinated and go to schools, or are we in a rush to open schools for what reason I don't know? Most states in the country …

Group of doctors, academicians calls for immediate resumption of in-person classes in schools
3 years, 3 months ago

Group of doctors, academicians calls for immediate resumption of in-person classes in schools

The Hindu  

A group of 56 academicians, doctors and other professionals have written an open letter to chief ministers and union territory administrators requesting them to urgently consider reopening schools and resuming in-person classes. In their letter which has also been marked to the Prime Minister’s Office, Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and the National Disaster Management …

What are the risks of kids getting COVID-19 as schools reopen?
3 years, 4 months ago

What are the risks of kids getting COVID-19 as schools reopen?

LA Times  

Julie Silk works with her kindergarten students in the classroom at Jackson STEM Dual Language Magnet Academy in Altadena. Among the nation’s three most populous states, the rate for new daily pediatric hospitalizations for COVID-19 per 100,000 children in Florida is 1.28; in Texas, it’s 0.53; and in California, it’s 0.21. The best way to keep children safe, in schools …

Bihar schools reopen after 1.5 years due to Covid-19
3 years, 4 months ago

Bihar schools reopen after 1.5 years due to Covid-19

India Today  

Bihar schools reopened on Monday as the number of Covid-19 cases have been reducing across the country. We have sanitized the classrooms and the classes will be held with 50 per cent attendance to maintain social distancing,” said Subodh Kumar Suman, Assistant teacher in a government school in Bihar to ANI. Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on August 7 twitted …

New York Education Department offers reopening guidance
3 years, 4 months ago

New York Education Department offers reopening guidance

Associated Press  

BUFFALO, N.Y. — New York education officials on Thursday released a COVID-19 reopening guide for school districts that were caught off guard when the state’s health commissioner said he would not issue safety recommendations. “Our hope is that this guide, coupled with the input of local health officials will help the state’s education community as they prepare for September.” Numerous …

Punjab schools reopen on Monday amidst a number of Covid-19 safety measures
3 years, 4 months ago

Punjab schools reopen on Monday amidst a number of Covid-19 safety measures

India Today  

Punjab schools have reopened for all classes from today, August 2, after an announcement by State School Education Minister Vijay Inder Singla regarding the same due to relaxed Covid-19 restrictions because of the declining number of cases. As per ANI, the education minister said that the reopening of schools would finally give teachers the opportunity to properly test students who …

Punjab govt allows reopening of schools for all classes from August 2
3 years, 4 months ago

Punjab govt allows reopening of schools for all classes from August 2

India TV News  

The Punjab Government on Saturday issued a notice directing all schools to resume all offline classes from August 2. These COVID restrictions are extended up till August 10th, as per an earlier notice issued on July 20, 2021. The following points were highlighted in the recent notice All schools are allowed to open for all classes from August 2 and …

Should schools be reopened? Data shows children least vulnerable to Covid
3 years, 4 months ago

Should schools be reopened? Data shows children least vulnerable to Covid

India Today  

The debate is contentious. Children, the data reveal, represented 14.2 per cent of all Covid cases and accounted for 1.3-3.6 per cent of total reported hospitalizations in the United States. In the pre-Covid year of 2019, 47 per cent children lacked access to education and/or health, which shot up to 56 per cent during the pandemic, according to UNICEF data. …

States can decide whether to open schools or not: Health Ministry
3 years, 4 months ago

States can decide whether to open schools or not: Health Ministry

India Today  

The debate on whether or whether not to open schools for children given the decline in the pandemic in the country is a raging one, but the central Government has decided to steer clear of it. Union Health Minister on reopening schools Highly placed sources in the Union Health Ministry have said that a conscious decision has been taken to …

Should children be vaccinated before schools reopen?
3 years, 4 months ago

Should children be vaccinated before schools reopen?

India Today  

It has been over a year since the Covid-19 pandemic wreaked havoc in our lives and the virus continues to haunt us. “Schools are not only important from an educational point of view, but for building a child's character for social interaction and behaviour,” says Dr Suresh Birajdar, neonatologist and paediatrician, Motherhood Hospital, Kharghar, Mumbai. “The physical school offers much …

Schools reopening in India: ICMR chief suggests plans to reopen schools
3 years, 5 months ago

Schools reopening in India: ICMR chief suggests plans to reopen schools

Live Mint  

New Delhi: Once India starts reopening schools, it will be wise, to begin with, the primary section as children have a lower number of ace receptors to which virus attaches, making them much better at handling viral infections than adults, said ICMR Director General Balram Bhargava on Tuesday. Addressing a press conference, he said the Indian Council of Medical Research's …

Punjab School Reopen: Punjab government's Decides To Open Schools from July 26 for Class 10th, 11th and 12th Students, But Some Conditions Would Apply
3 years, 5 months ago

Punjab School Reopen: Punjab government's Decides To Open Schools from July 26 for Class 10th, 11th and 12th Students, But Some Conditions Would Apply

ABP News  

Punjab School Reopening: The Punjab government has decided to reopen schools for students of Classes 10th, 11th, and 12th in the state from July 26. During the covid-19 review meeting, Chief Minister Amarinder Singh also said that schools will be allowed to open for classes X to XII, but only those teachers and staff will be allowed to reach the …

Kids can handle viral infection better; wise to consider reopening primary schools first: ICMR
3 years, 5 months ago

Kids can handle viral infection better; wise to consider reopening primary schools first: ICMR

Live Mint  

The ICMR on Tuesday said that it would be wise to consider reopening primary schools first as children can handle viral infection much better. It said, "Children can handle viral infection much better as they have lower number of ace receptors. Addressing a press conference, referring to the fourth national Covid sero-survey show, a senior official said, around 40 crore …

UNICEF, WHO chief scientist urge Govts across the world to prioritise reopening of schools
3 years, 5 months ago

UNICEF, WHO chief scientist urge Govts across the world to prioritise reopening of schools

Op India  

The UNICEF on Monday urged the decision-makers and governments to prioritize and plan for the safe reopening of schools. WHO Chief Scientist also urged for reopening of schools Soumya Swaminathan, the Chief Scientist at the World Health Organization furthered UNICEF’s appeal of reopening the schools. Quoting UNICEF’s Tweet, Swaminathan wrote, “With teachers & adults working in schools prioritized for vaccination …

Covid-19 child cases are again rising as schools gear up to reopen. But vaccines for the youngest are still months away
3 years, 5 months ago

Covid-19 child cases are again rising as schools gear up to reopen. But vaccines for the youngest are still months away

CNN  

CNN — New Covid-19 cases among children are back on the rise after months of declines, just as schools across the United States are gearing up to reopen in a few weeks. Video Ad Feedback Surgeon General on when he still wears a mask 02:59 - Source: CNN Vaccine data for youngest likely still months away It’s “very likely” data …

Coronavirus lockdowns mean home learning is back, but experts say it comes at a cost
3 years, 5 months ago

Coronavirus lockdowns mean home learning is back, but experts say it comes at a cost

ABC  

India Kerr's first years in high school have not gone as expected. "If the cases are the lowest they can be in the community … the risk of a case becoming apparent in a school will decline," Professor Macartney said. A study from Sweden, where in 2020 lower-secondary schools stayed open but upper-secondary schools closed, found leaving schools open had …

Prioritising school reopening on the road to recovery
3 years, 5 months ago

Prioritising school reopening on the road to recovery

The Hindu  

Most schools in India have been closed since the national lockdown started in March 2020. A survey across 10 States in India in November 2020 estimated that nearly two-thirds of children in rural India may drop out of school, a staggering statistic which is likely to have worsened with continuing closure. Due to the shutdown of schools, mid-day meal schemes …

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