KAMS against putting off school reopening

By NT Correspondent

Bengaluru: The Associated Managements of Primary and Secondary Schools in Karnataka (also known as KAMS) has written to the Chief Minister and Karnataka Minister for Primary and Secondary Education B C Nagesh requesting not to delay the commencement of the academic year 2022- 23.

Karnataka Legislative Council Chairman Basavaraj Horatti reportedly wrote a letter to the CM requesting the postponement of the date from May 16 to June 1. He had said that children might be affected by the scorching summer heat.

Currently, schools in Karnataka are set to reopen on May 16 after a shortened summer break. This was due to the fact that students largely had missed out on learning in a classroom set up during the past two years due to the pandemic.

In its letter, KAMS said that learning has been minimal during these two years and has welcomed the government’s decision on early reopening. The letter also states that a few persons with ‘vested interests’ are attempting to postpone the reopening by giving ‘excuses’.

KAMS also pointed out that some schools had been continuing to hold online classes last year and that it had affected children and their parents adversely. The letter signed by KAMS General Secretary K Shashikumar requested that the date of reopening remain the same. It also said that the summer this year had been normal and several parts of the state had already received rain.

An official at the office of the Commissioner for Public Instruction said that opening schools as soon as possible was crucial for children. “We need to prioritise children, especially those from the poor and backward sections, rather than the interests of associations or politicians.

Children and parents want schools to start soon,” he said and added that several children were either married off or sent to work as labourers in the last two years.

The official also said that the mid-day meal and other nutrition schemes would resume on the same day. “This will benefit many children. They also need time to prepare for the new academic year,” he said.