In November, schools in Karnataka reopened after being closed due to the second wave of COVID-19. The initial shift from offline to online classes was difficult for students, parents, teachers to adjust to. But what about the transition back once again to physical schooling? 🧵
But first, the context: India had the world's second-longest shutdown of physical classes in the world, at 82 weeks. 24 crore children were affected, of which, 1 in 4 students did not have access to digital devices. So, it's no wonder that the shift was difficult to adjust to.
But, students and teachers are coming back to school amidst an ongoing pandemic--which is a difficult step in its own way. In Lawrence ICSE and SSLC schools in #Bengaluru, schools have taken as many safety precautions as they can to keep these parties safe.
Once they're past the gates and in class, the true impacts of online classes reveal themselves. Many younger children are yet to develop the ability to sit in a class, while older children have forgotten the foundational concepts of the subjects they study.
This could be because online classes weren't able to facilitate the levels of learning and deep engagement that face-to-face instruction could. Online learning may have been an alternative to physical school, but it certainly wasn't a substitute for it.
It's clear why this is the case: students in India have unequal access to reliable Internet and technology. some students had unstable Internet connections, others didn't have access to smartphones--all hampering learning and engagement.
The bottomline: making friends, learning, playing, these are all experiences students no longer take for granted; students we spoke to certainly don't want schools to shut again. Whether this is feasible amidst predictions of a forthcoming Omicron wave in India remains to be seen
To listen to more of the experiences shared by students at Lawrence SSLC and ICSE schools with Divina Ann Philipose, @manasi_nene, and @ChinnappaChirag last week, click below!
bit.ly/3EbWWbc
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