Schools and educational institutes in most states are gradually reopening. The school corridors and classrooms seem to be coming back to life. We are looking forward to enjoying the soft chattering of our children soon swell up to be a happy carefree flow of laughter and exchange of endless chitter-chatter as it is in normal times.
Educational institutions have been closed since March 2020, though classes started later through the online medium and it has been continuing for more than one and a half years now. It has been felt by many the urgency now to get back to the offline school as soon as possible. It is well understood that it is difficult to continue online classes forever.
Many studies have shown that students suffer from mental and physical stress due to online classes. The Government has also mentioned that to reduce mental stress due to Covid-19 related issues, students must be given free counselling. In all the top best schools in delhi, the utmost priority first is to attend to the children’s mental health and wellbeing. We all have realized there is no substitute for physical classroom teaching and co-scholastic activities. Further for the overall development of the children, classroom teaching which allows them to interact with the teachers and fellow students and physical activity is necessary.
Now to ensure a smooth opening, after meeting all covid norms, is what all the top best schools in delhi are focussed on. All the rulings of the Government are definitely in place. Let us not worry and be anxious; rather, let us take everything sportively because we are trying to get back to the normal, we all had once. We as schools have the preparedness to introduce academic rigour in a phased manner.
All top best schools in Delhi have prepared a specific schedule as per the capacity of the classroom or laboratories so that the social distancing norm is followed. Nonetheless, the challenges are many and varied. The most essential initial task for the teachers is to make the children feel at home. Our teachers are aware of the fragile emotional state our children are in these times of crisis. Similarly, our hard-working teachers too, need to be understood by the children and the parents. In fact, each one of us needs to have patience and understanding of the prevailing situations around us. We are at our best when we serve others, especially in today’s situation. Being kind and compassionate is one ultimate way to connect genuinely with one another be it the students, teachers, parents, management or any member of society.
Humour, music, drama, and sports have been always woven very neatly in an organised, structured manner in all that we plan for our children, nonetheless, planning this time around have been heavily gravitated towards emotionally balancing every child and initiate back-to-school life. Sharing initially many of our own stories of lockdown, more bonding activities in the group discussion, quality circle times, more project-based work, where students can work independently and still collaboratively maintain social distancing. Small heart to heart sessions to discuss what they are feeling and thinking, and addressing their concerns. At this point, we cannot be limited in our thoughts about finishing only our syllabi and compromise the deeper issues of children.
To our students, we suggest following certain tips to get back to the routine quicker.
Prioritize and maintain a ‘To do list’. Be organized, be prepared for the offline school routine. If possible, plan a list the previous day itself and as you complete the work in the list, strike it out. You will feel a sense of achievement and this will enthuse you to do the other tasks in a more spirited manner. Starting your day with all your essential things intact in your school bag means ensuring to a great extent a hassle-free day.
Organise your study area at home. Make it neat and clean- that is also important. If your external order is in place, your internal order will also be in place.
Have good rest and sleep. This keeps us in a good state of mind which in turn will help us in being productive, organized, and emotionally fully charged to take the rigours of the offline schedules. It will also ensure more energy levels on your initial days of school.
Take care of your diet. Eat healthily. Healthy, nutritious food is the foundation of good self-care. Love yourself, take care of your physical well-being too. Starting your day with a good breakfast is very important. It will keep you well fuelled until lunchtime in school.
Connect with your positive friends. Confide and discuss with at least one good friend or your favourite teacher who will listen and understand you if you are feeling nervous about anything. We have for sure STOPPED & REFLECTED and now RESTARTED. This pandemic gave us enough opportunity to halt and pause. Ensure that we start a fresh new page. Just as you have a fresh new uniform, books and bags, starting afresh a new class, make a new beginning free from errors of the past. The biggest tragedy will be if we do not learn or have any takeaways from this situation-the potential lessons that it has offered to us. Follow these simple tips, and you would be well prepared and not have small little botheration while you enjoy with your friends and teachers in your real school environment.