By Dr. Rex Casiple
In this period of COVID-19 pandemic and according to data compiled by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), more than 1 billion students around the world were affected by school closures. Many countries in the world are unsure to reopen their classes this year.
In India, holder of the third-largest number of coronavirus cases in the world, students are already back from their summer break, but schools remained closed. Students will likely return to the classroom at different times, state by state.
Brazil, which has the second-largest number of coronavirus cases in the world, is taking a similar patchwork approach. Some private schools in Brazil reopened this month.
In the US, many schools will remain closed for the year. Preliminary guidelines are issued, which include closing cafeterias, canceling sporting events, and field trips.
In some countries where infection rates have dropped significantly or under control, schools decided to open classes under the new normal. Most students are expected to be back for in-person classes when the new school year begins in late summer. Belgium, Britain, France and Italy are all pushing for plans to reopen schools widely in September.
In Israel, schools reopened last May 2020 on a staggered schedule. However, the overflow of COVID-19 cases in the country that caused a lot of school children and teachers sick opted hundreds of schools in Israel again to close their classes.
Japan reopened their schools last June 2020. Schools have different approaches to combat COVID-19, like students attending classes in an alternate schedule to decongest the classrooms, students eat their lunch silently and in social distancing, and students undergo daily temperature checks. Despite these precautions practiced by schools in Japan, still some students have been infected by COVID 19, particularly in those schools located in the major cities.
Schools continued to be open in Sweden. The wearing of masks and social distancing was recommended but not required. Parents were obliged to send their children to school.
Uruguay sent students back to school in a staggered approach. To decongest the classrooms, Uruguay practiced an alternate schedule of in-person and virtual instruction.
Social distancing in schools is being enforced in Germany, Denmark, Israel, and Norway. Desks are spaced six feet apart. Playgrounds, gym classes, school libraries, and even teachers’ lounges are closed. Meals are served in classrooms instead of the cafeteria. Plated meals are served individually. Small groups of students are kept for the whole day where social mixing is discouraged.
In Denmark, many classes are conducted outdoors or in outdoor tents, where physical distancing is easier to establish. Schools have installed handwashing stations outside of the buildings and students must wash their hands at least once an hour.
The practices of the countries mentioned, like strict wearing of masks and social distancing in schools and in communities, will help students away from being infected with the virus. In crowded areas where social distancing is not possible wearing of masks slowed down the spread of the virus. However, there are some instances that caused students not to follow the practice of wearing masks. Some students were uncomfortable in wearing masks inside the school campus for hours.
In view of these observations on the opening of classes in the different countries in the world, I believe that there is no guarantee that it is safe for schools to open in this COVID-19 pandemic period. Hence, for the safety of the returning students Full Online Education is highly recommended under the new normal.
