The qualms of parents on the impact of COVID pandemic on their school-going children in Mokokchung Town
Mokokchung Times News
January 28, 2022
With rising Covid cases in the state and the government promulgating new SOPs, reopening of schools for lower classes remain suspended leaving many parents and students in a tight spot. Classes from A to 8 of most schools remained closed from last year and it is yet to be confirmed which mode of learning will be upheld by the schools as the academic season starts.
Parents in Mokokchung while interacting with Mokokchung Times expressed their regret on how the world is going through a dark phase and at the same time shared their strong sentiments about how offline classes were far more advantageous for their child’s learning and holistic growth.
“It is regrettable that my child did not inculcate any outside knowledge for the past two years,” said a father of two children residing in Arkong Ward. “So far, my children are getting through their examinations and getting promoted to higher classes but other than the given explanation, notes and texts, there is nothing more they learn,” he rued.
“The fact that my children did not experience the classroom environment is very unfortunate but we understand why and it is what it is”, said a mother whose child joined pre-nursery last year.
Many parents shared their experiences on how they have to become tutors themselves while some have to search for more than one tutor and upgrade their technologies for better online communication.
On interacting with more parents, it was observed that the impact on ‘discipline’ of their children was one of the major issues among many parents of children who missed offline schooling. While many admitted that offline was a far better learning ground, another added how offline classes have boosted their child’s confidence as the child feels more secure under the assumption that he or she is sitting with the teacher alone.
“The satisfaction we get while teaching offline is a far much better experience. Sometimes, we often face a lot of technical issues too,” a teacher revealed. Some schools in the town reportedly after carrying out mutual agreement with the parents are pursuing offline classes with proper SOPs.
The Covid-19 crisis continues to have profound impact on children’s education, in-service teachers and parents; however, many parents and teachers shared optimism that ‘normalcy’ will return soon.