When schools reopened, the authorities, parents were more concerned about one thing: ‘Whether children would follow the COVID-19 norms or not’. Most seniors had a fear that if children after entering schools get mixed with each, play, eat together, do handshake, may not wear masks then it would be very difficult to tell them to follow the rules. But a survey done by Dr Shruti Balasubramanian, Post-Graduate student under Dr Ritesh Kalaskar, Head, Department of Paediatric and Preventive Dentistry tells a different story. The survey wherein children were involved gave fantastic results, according to which over 90% children are aware of COVID-19 norms.

 

In fact experts had warned that schools might become the source of COVID-19 infections. It was imperative for school authorities to provide a safe environment to students in schools as well as during travel. “Our main motive was to assess the level of awareness among children regarding COVID-19 and we also recorded their recommendations for schools. Our survey was on-line and we contacted students through various Whatsapp groups. We prepared a questionnaire for which our student Dr Shruti took lot of efforts. The questionnaire was put on-line. We had asked parents to let children communicate and not to prompt them,” elaborated Dr Kalaskar. They observed that majority of children had good awareness for COVID-19. Through that survey, it was found, more than 90% children expressed their wishes to have regular classes in a well-maintained hygienic atmosphere. Children also gave a strong suggestion that they should get permission to sanitize hands in between classes as well. Some of the children went ahead to request teachers to wear masks during classes. Almost 90% children requested schools to apply ‘single seat single child’ rule in classrooms and buses as well. World Health Organization (WHO) also recommended that desks should be placed at least one metre away and classrooms should be well-ventilated. Almost 100% children wanted their classrooms to be disinfected daily.

 

As per Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), schools should also implement the methods adopted by health sector like disinfection of high touch surfaces with sodium hypochlorite or 70% alcohol and use of no-touch technologies like fogging machine for disinfection. It is also important to follow adequate waste management protocol and teach the same to students as well.

 

“WHO and UNICEF also advocated schools to stagger arrival and dismissal times to avoid crowding, develop flexible attendance and sick leave policies. It should be made mandatory to assess the temperature and oxygen saturation of students and staff members on regular basis and parents should be asked to inform regarding any history of travel as well,” advised Dr Kalaskar.

 

It must be ensured that academic activities should not be compromised for students on leave and E-learning strategies must be implemented. Another very important aspect which must be catered to, is the mental health of the child which might have been affected due to the stressful conditions, fear of losing loved ones to COVID-19 and lack of interaction with peers. Schools are required to extend psychosocial support to students and also educate them on importance of mental health, suggested Dr Kalaskar.