More than 70 days have passed since the lockdown came in force to combat or at least contain the pandemic of covid-19. The authorities have taken important steps to locate persons who have contracted the virus and made arrangements for their treatment and segregation. Widespread preventive measures are in force in the form of social distancing, compulsory wearing of mouth mask by everybody everywhere, directions to wash hands frequently and use sanitizer off and on. It may be conceded that the pandemic has been kept under control. But it is strange to see figures of infected persons rising every day for the last week (23 to 29 May).
Can total lockdown be considered an effective way of combatting that disease? Specialists and authorities need to ponder over the alternatives. Lockdown has left crores of daily wage-earners high and dry. Long files of reverse immigrants are making a painful sight. Production of goods and services has almost stopped. Revenues of the Central, State and local authorities are dwindling while unbudgeted expenditure is to be incurred on a large scale. Comprehensive lockdown should not be renewed again and again. Economic activities must be allowed to begin.
All schools and colleges are shut down for the last 70 days, Some examinations have been disrupted. Many schools were to have their summer vacation, so lockdown has not caused much loss so far. But now serious efforts will have to be made to restart the schools at least by the last week of June. There are problems and difficulties. In urban areas, classrooms are generally overcrowded. If the time-table of last year is to be followed, social distancing will come to a nought. Some persons have suggested that schools be held in three shifts after trifurcation the class strength. Or classes be held on alternate days for half of the students so that one half of every division can be seated in one classroom seating only one student on one desk. Some such arrangements will have to be worked out.
Online teaching is held in high esteem by some people. But they should know that in our country not more than 40% of the parents in the urban areas use smartphones. The figure for the rural areas is as low as 20%. Hence online teaching should not be considered a regular substitute for class teaching. We will have to rely on the good sense of the parents and teachers for following precautionary measures like social distancing.
It is observed that when faced with a natural calamity or disaster, great attention is paid to the problems of supplying food, clothing, medicines etc. and the last priority is accorded to education. This is not good. Students in their formative days should be provided adequate facilities for taking education. Authorities at all levels as also the parents should do the needful urgently.
Regarding higher education, examinations of final years of degree courses have not been held due to lockdown. Those must be held at suitable times. No degree should be awarded without passing the required exam. For students aspiring for master’s degree and onwards final year exams are a must. The UGC has indicated that college classes may be started in September. That is all right. Care should be taken that stipend money is paid to the students in good time.
When it comes to education, the show must go on.
Pannalal Surana
President, Socialist Party of India.
