– Reshma Ravishanker
Repeated closure of schools due to heavy rainfall across Bengaluru has prompted some private schools in the city to revert to hybrid learning again.
With incessant and heavy rains lashing Bengaluru for over a week now, the government had announced closure of schools for atleast three days as a yellow alert was sounded by the Met department.
The Indian Meteorological Department reported a record rainfall of 186.2 mm rainfall on Monday in north Bengaluru, a highest in 27 years.
City schools and anganwadi centres were also ordered shut on Wednesday owing to heavy rains.
Nandini, a parent of a school in central Bengaluru said that the school has asked parents to make provisions for online learning.
“We already have a set up and necessary softwares installed as the school was offering hybrid education during the Covid 19 pandemic. We have been asked to use the same now. As parents we are assured the safety of the child and continued learning. In difficult times like these, we must adapt,” she said.
Sunil, parent of another central government school in Central Bengaluru also said, “Our son’s school resumed hybrid teaching-learning since Monday. The school has been considerate in the wake of the present situation and reverted to online teaching. As parents, we welcome this move. This will also ensure that a child does not miss many school hours or suffer a learning loss.”
Schools express concern
D Shashi Kumar, secretary, Associated Management of Private Schools in Karnataka, said that repeated orders from the DC’s office ordering closure of schools has left students, parents and teachers suffering.
“In government schools, children do not have access to mid day meals because of the closure. Students in private schools are suffering due to closure. Schools have just commenced after the Dusshera vacation. Continued holidays will affect quality of learning and completion of syllabus. Not all schools can revert to hybrid education again and students studying in these schools will suffer.
“The holiday on Wednesday was uncalled for. Although there was a Met department alert, only parts of the city saw extremely heavy rainfall and was affected. We are seeking that an exception be made only for schools in those areas which are witnessing floods or those in low lying areas. Officials must stop taking irresponsible decisions. We have written to the chief secretary seeking the same,” he said.
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