Delhi Schools Reopening: Final decision likely by today, parents concerned about third wave

The Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) will most likely issue the final decision regarding the reopening of schools in Delhi today, August 27. DDMA, in presence of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, is scheduled to meet today to discuss the suggestions put forward by the expert committee a few days back.

According to the expert committee set up by the DDMA suggested that the schools in the national capital reopen for students of all classes in a phase-wise manner. The team of experts suggested that the schools be reopened with several COVID-19 safety measures, such as social distancing and closure of common areas such as swimming pools and assembly halls.

In its list of recommendations for the reopening of schools in Delhi, the DDMA committee suggested the resumption of physical classes for the students of Classes 9 to 12 first and then moving on to middles school students, and finally reopening the primary school.

The Delhi government has stated that mixed experiences regarding the reopening of schools have been recorded in different states, and thus, they are still monitoring the situation. The final decision regarding the reopening of schools in Delhi will be made after the recommendations of the DDMA expert committee are reviewed today.

Though it is being speculated that the schools in Delhi will reopen soon for physical classes, parents across the national capital have had mixed reactions to this news. They feel that the resumption of physical classes in the current situation might put the students at risk during the impending third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, which might hit the country in October.

"The risk is not over yet. Reopening schools right before October-November during which the third wave has been predicted by experts is not a wise decision. A system for online learning is already in place and extending it for few weeks or a month more will not cause any major harm when schools have been closed for so long already," said Aparajita Gautam, President, Delhi Parents' Association, as quoted by media reports.

Some parents also feel that the delay in the resumption of physical classes is leading to an academic loss for the students. "What is the justification in indefinitely delaying reopening of schools in Delhi? Like 2020-21, 2021-22 is also becoming zero academic years," AIPA President Ashok Agarwal said, as per media reports.

Students must note that no final date regarding the reopening of schools in Delhi has been issued by the government yet. The decision of the government is expected to be announced by the end of the day today.