Abstract
Justification
With the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic and the resultant school closure, children all over the country are undergoing a lot of educational, psychosocial, and physical problems. There is an urgent and deep felt need to offer scientific and concrete guidance for these concerns and support children in their educational development during these testing times.
Objectives
To review the guidelines and recommendations given by various international agencies and formulate guidelines in the Indian context on (a) how and when to reopen the schools; (b) ways and means of remote learning; and (c) to identify the contents of curriculum that need restructuring in context of the current situation.
Process
Indian Academy of Pediatrics (IAP) formed a task force of pediatricians, educationists and technological experts who connected through various video and social platforms. They gathered and exchanged information and thoughts. The writing committee drafted the guidelines and got approval of all the members of the task force.
Recommendations
Schools can be reopened only when the local epidemiological parameters are favorable, the administration is equipped with adequate infrastructure and health care facilities, and the stakeholders (teachers, students, parents, and support staff) are prepared for the new normal. In the meanwhile, remote learning (media-based and /or otherwise) should reach to the last student to maintain uninterrupted education. The curriculum needs to be revised, with focus on revision and core contents. Informal learning of psychosocial empowerment and daily living skills should be encouraged rather than stressful formal learning.
Keywords: Education, Distance learning, e-learning, Lock down, Screen time
Footnotes
Contributors
All authors were part of the IAP Task Force on School Reopening and Remote learning that formulated these Guidelines. BJP, GVB, PG and SG: conceived the Guidelines, prepared the agenda, and executed administratively. PG: led the discussions and all the members actively participated. YK, SPV, PRN: contributed extensively on educational and technological angles of the guidelines. SSK and MN; guided on the epidemiological aspects. BJP, RKT, UB, PB, SS, SK, PN, SP, CHS and SG: reviewed the literature. UB, PG, PB, RKT and SG: worked on the survey to generate Indian data on the topic. RKT, PRN, SS, SP, CHS and SG: wrote the first draft of respective sections assigned to them. Review of literature and the first drafts were peer reviewed by PG, PB, SK, YK and SPV. PG, PB, SSK: provided intellectual inputs and overall guidance at every step. BJP, GVB, PG: provided the administrative support from the Indian Academy of Pediatrics and coordinated between the team and executive board members of the Academy. The final document was drafted by SG and RKT; and edited by PG. All authors approved the final recommendations of the guidelines.
Funding
None
Competing interest
None stated.
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