One full quarter of the financial year is consumed by lockdown and we are heading for yet another quarter under restricted movement. There is no certainty of how situation is going to shape up by September end. Few industries that are under stress and need immediate government support are restaurants, logistics and education.

The common need for all industries is finance. Most of the business survives in rental properties. The rent has to be paid; it can’t be put on hold indefinitely. Add to this other mandatory payments like salary, electricity, compliance, security, etc.

One industry that needs immediate attention from state and central government is Education.

Why the need to give priority treatment for education?

This is one industry where children are directly involved. Each segment of education industry has unique requirement and needs customised support.

One vertical in education industry that needs immediate attention is Pre Primary and Primary. Many working couple depend on day care centres to retain their jobs. The children are dropped in these day care centres as early as 7 am and picked up as late as 9 pm also. The life is tough but parents, care givers and the child have a bond. Lockdown and social distancing has resulted in major issues for the owners of these schools, teachers and the parents as well.

Most of the parents use office laptop, most of the teachers have no lap top and none of the schools are equipped to handle video classes for the students. But the spirits of all are high. Even with limited resources teachers are running classes, parents are using their official laptop and children are gradually adapting themselves to new learning culture.

Number of Play group and nursery schools are beyond imagination in each city and town. Central government should ensure that all states implement Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) policy as recommended by Union Women and Child Development Ministry.

Once this is regulated the state and central government will be in a position to gauge the requirement. 

In his recent address to the nation Hon. Prime Minister has already announced relief to citizens who are below poverty line till November 2020. This is where the central and state government needs to think about the scenario for third and fourth quarter of this academic year. Looking at current scenario the picture is not very bright till end of September 2020. At best we may contain the number of cases but we will not be successful in eradicating it completely. To ensure it doesn’t spread in schools and colleges, the lockdown may continue beyond September 2020 from Playgroup to standard V students as they are too small to take precautions.

There is no point sitting on edge every month end and await announcement from state and central government. What central and state government needs to plan in the next one month is a road map for two scenarios.

1)      SOP, if the situation permits to open schools and colleges after September 2020

2)      SOP, if the situation doesn’t permit opening of schools and colleges even after September 2020

The reason why government has to prepare this plan in advance is for various reasons. It will help parents to plan their schedule in a better way. Middle class people are under stress and they can plan their remaining year in their native place or whatever best suited for them. It will help schools and their staff in a better way. And most importantly the children are going through a tough time. Young ones are not used to taking lectures on lap top. Parents too can plan their work from home schedule with their employers and work out dedicated schedules for their children. And not to forget the fees part of the schools. If the situation is not good even till September then the government should take conscious call of announcing the remaining academic year via video classes only.

A plan / SOP in advance will assist in reducing heartburns, better planning at all stages for all stake holders (especially teachers and parents).

Schools and PTA members are involved in consistent tug of war with regards to the fees. Both sides have valid reasons to force their will. However, this is not an ideal situation for the students. They are the biggest loser. The author feels that there is enough scope of reducing the fee and passing on the benefits to the parents. If online classes continue for entire academic year then the school management saves money on maintenance of school premises, annual function and sports day, maintenance and fuel of bus etc. Lot of schools have Misc and Others apart from Tuition Fee, Quarterly fee etc. What is other and Misc? Central and state governments should come to a concensus of making all payments online and very clear cut explanation of various expense head. Some private schools are telling parents that they are unaided and will not take government dictat. The situation at present and for next one year atleast will be very delicate and needs rational decision making.

The education lobby is big and most of the political party leaders have private schools as business empires. It would be ideal for the central government to set up a neutral commission to study the issue and present a formula before September 2020 to ensure that all stakeholders are motivated.

Do share your critical and constructive feedback here or on social media with Hon. Education Minister to ensure we take this dialogue to logical end.

Author: Robin can be reached onTwitter: @ZeroAppeasement

Disclaimer