Odisha Unlocks Schools From Feb 7: Know How School-Ready Is The State

Within hours after the Department of School Education and Literacy (DSEI), under the Ministry of Education, has given a clear signal to the nine states/UTs, including Odisha, where schools remain closed, to go for the lifting of the shutters of classrooms, the Odisha government has decided to open schools and colleges from Feb 7.

As per the data shared by the DSEL today, only in 9 states/UTs in the country, the schools remain closed to date. The 9 states are Odisha, Delhi, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Puducherry, Jharkhand, Ladakh, J&K.

Following the decision by the Odisha government, schools across the grades will be de-shuttered from coming Monday (Feb 7). And the grades from kindergarten to middle standard (class 7th) will be opened from Feb 14 (next Monday).

Since the schools have been closed in the State owing to a surge in Covid cases in the third wave, is the State ready to reboot the learning software?

Learning Software Reboot - A Reality Check

Here are the pre-requisite conditions that are essential before the reopening of schools. The guidelines have been collectively compiled from US-based CDC, UK and WHO directives.

1. Vaccination
2. Proper mask use for unvaccinated
3. physical distancing
4. screening testing in schools to promptly identify cases
5. classrooms with improved ventilation
6. respiratory etiquette and hand-washing
7. mandatory staying at home when sick  and testing
8. routine cleaning and disinfecting

Vaccination: As per the data available, fully vaccinated teaching staff in Odisha stands at around 98 percent, and it is over 97 percent in non-teaching staff. The vaccination rate has been almost universal in the State.

Masking: Regarding Directive No 2, the US-based CDC recommends universal indoor masking regardless of vaccination status. However, the top research body says people do not need to wear masks when are outdoors (open spaces), except in areas of substantial to high transmission.

But the mask is mandatory in crowded outdoor settings, CDC said.

Physical Distancing: Is 6 feet gap mandatory? Take a glance at the following study conclusions.

• Since each classroom in Odisha on average has 30 -35 pupils, maintaining a mandatory WHO rule of 1 mt or 3 ft will be a herculean task in many schools across the states, especially in high-density zones.
• The second fact is with the upcoming summer season, in such schools adhering to proper masking will be quite difficult.
• In the backdrop of such home truths, regular screening of students and staff is mandatory to prevent any possibility of an outbreak.
• As per CDC, greater physical distancing (at least 6 feet) between people who are not fully vaccinated should be prioritized whenever masks cannot be used (for example, while eating indoors).
• Because studies from across the world suggest that transmission has been minimal when the physical distancing is 6 feet. However, WHO has called for a minimal 3ft distance.
• Above all, the CDC recommends school-based screening testing programs when the above prevention strategies are not available.

• Moreover, in such crunch scenarios, schools should go for hybrid learning, says the top research body. Hybrid learning means a mix of online and in-person or offline learning.
  Schools should give the flexibility for students to join the virtual classroom if they can afford it.

Time Right For School Opening?

Since as many as 13-15 districts in the State have a weekly positive rate of over 5 percent, this shows there remains the risk of community transmission in these districts.

As per CDC, SARS-CoV-2 transmission in the community is correlated with the number of infections in schools. When community rates of COVID-19 are high, there is an increased likelihood that SARS-CoV-2 will be introduced to, and potentially transmitted within a school.

As per the current daily caseload trend, the community transmission in the State will be greatly reduced by mid-Feb. But the rider here is adherence to COVID SOP is a must.

Because UK instance is evident where after the recent surge fall turned slower after the reopening of schools,