WHO Scientist Says Schools Should Reopen With Social Distancing, Safety Measures

Experts have often debated as to when educational institutions, including schools, should be opened in countries battling a wave of COVID-19.?

Reuters

Despite warnings of a possible large-scale exposure of children to COVID-19, a WHO scientist now argues that schools should not be shut till long.

In an interview with TOI, Dr Soumya Swaminathan, a chief scientist at WHO, has said that states should reopen schools so that the learning of the children is not affected and their overall health is taken care of as well.

Swaminathan further stressed that even if schools cannot reopen due to the obvious risk of exposure of kids to COVID-19, colleges, at least, should be reopened.

Why shut schools are not good

Dr Soumya Swaminathan (Image: Reuters)

In the interview, Dr Swaminathan explained, “One of the emerging priorities is how and when to reopen schools. Disruptions to instructional time in the classroom can have a severe impact on a child’s ability to learn. That puts schools as one of the high priorities in the coming days.””

She further cited the lack of access to online education to all as another reason for the schools to start operating. As per the scientist, “the impact can be worse when the poor and marginalised children are out of school for long. They may not have facilities to access online education and many may not return to schools if they don’t restart.”

In addition, the scientist warned of the possible domestic abuse that a child is prone to go to while being out of school. She highlighted “abuse, child marriage, violence” and other threats as the grim truth of the society that are at a risk of increasing if the child does not go to school.

Children and COVID-19 risk

A teacher sits in an empty classroom after Tamil Nadu state government ordered the closure of primary schools across the state amid coronavirus fears. (Image: Reuters)

Even though it makes sense for the schools to reopen, even if in limited capacity, it is not an easy task. The obvious risk of students contracting COVID-19 from an infected counterpart is dreaded by all. Dr Swaminathan helped with this dilemma in some way.

“Initially, schools should open in low incidence districts with staggered timings,” Dr Swaminathan said. She also urged for an early preparation for the schools to reopen, with increased testing, tracking and isolation of COVID-19 patients.

Swaminathan mentioned that this might be the only option going forward. Since no vaccine for the disease has been developed yet, governments might have to implement the known health and social measures and get on with the reopening.