Coronavirus | NGOs oppose re-opening of educational institutions in Meghalaya

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaMay 3, 2020

NGOs in the state on Sunday expressed strong reservation against the move to re-open educational institutions citing it is not wise in view of the global opinion about the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

A joint memorandum was submitted by the Khasi Students Union, Federation of Khasi Jaintia and Garo People and Hynniewtrep National Youth Front to the Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma for his intervention into the matter.

“The KSU, FKJGP and HNYF opposes the idea of opening up of educational institutions in the state with the hope that the government will pay heed to our suggestion,” the memorandum said. 

The NGOs said any move to open educational institutions will be counter productive to the national and state exercises to regulate and eliminate the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to them, the educational institutions will not be in a position to abide by social distancing norms.

“Many students of the state might have moved to their state of origin in the pre lockdown period, opening up of educational institutions at this juncture will also necessitate the interstate movement of such students who might hail from the COVID 19 red, orange or other such volatile zone,” they stated in the memorandum.

The NGOs said that the government must understand the psyche of the parents who many are still apprehensive about sending their wards to schools.

“The whole world, including India, right now must be prepared for the possible second wave of the pandemic, opening of educational institutions at this juncture is not wise in view of the global opinion on the second wave of this pandemic,” they said.

They also added that “Together as a state we can cope with the loss of the normal academic sessions but this can be done when this pandemic scenario subsided to the practical realities.”