COVID-19: 2 Lakh Parents Sign Plea For Closure Of Schools Till Vaccine Is Ready

NEW DELHI: The government is relaxing lockdown curbs in many sectors in a phased manner but parents of students are expressing their concerns over the prospect of re-opening of the schools sometime in July. More than 2 lakh parents from across the country have signed a petition demanding that schools should not be reopened until the COVID-19 situation in the country is under control or a vaccine is ready. The petition comes in the wake of the government's announcement that a decision on the re-opening of schools, colleges, coaching centres, and other educational institutions will be taken in July after discussing the coronavirus situation with states and union territories.

A petition which has been signed by more than 2.13 lakh parents read as, “Opening of schools in July will be the worst decision by the government. It’s like playing with fire when we ought to douse it with full force. The current academic session should continue in e-learning mode. If the schools claim that they are doing a good job via virtual learning then why not continue it for the rest of the academic year?”

Schools and universities across the country have been closed since March 16 due to coronavirus stimulated lockdown. Earlier, it was a 21-day lockdown but later it was extended till May 31st. Now, the government announced a phase-wise easing of restrictions even as the lockdown will continue in the red zones till the end of June. The Home Ministry in a statement said that, "State governments and UT administrations may hold consultations at the institution level with parents and other stakeholders. Based on the feedback, a decision on reopening of educational institutions will be taken. This will be done in the month of July, 2020."