Child Rights Panel in Odisha proposes a formula for resuming classes

Bhubaneswar: According to Sandhyabati Pradhan, head of the Odisha State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (OSCPCR), the state government is considering recommending that offline teaching for Class VI to VIII be resumed on a priority basis with an odd-even formula.

“With the current COVID-19 pandemic and the likelihood of a third wave, during which children are most likely to be infected,” she told the media, “steps must be done to safeguard their safety.”

She stated that the Commission met with all Chief District Medical Officers (CDMOs), the Director of the Regional Medical Research Centre (RMRC), and senior officials from the Health Department on Tuesday to discuss the matter.

“Primary school pupils are suffering from serious emotional stress as a result of being confined to their homes for more than two years due to the closure of their schools due to the COVID-19 outbreak. This has had a significant impact on their health and physical development. As a result, the Commission would recommend to the government that Class VI to VIII pupils be allowed to attend school,” Pradhan added.

She stated that the Commission will request that the Special Relief Commissioner (SRC), the Department of School and Mass Education, and the Department of Health develop a standard operating procedure (SOP) for the protection of children attending classes.