With schools reopening in most parts of the country, findings from a new pan-India survey by LocalCircle found that most parents are concerned about indoor eating, indoor assembly and outdoor air ventilation in some schools. At least 36 per cent of parents whose children are going to school say that classrooms do not have good air ventilation, which makes it the biggest concern. 41% of them indicated that their children were having their lunch or snack indoors while only 6% said they were eating outside.
“A mask needs to be kept separate for eating and the exposure of an infected asymptomatic child to COVID aerosol increases the risk of being exposed by other children. An alternative to eating out is skipping school meals and shorter school sessions.”
The survey conducted by LocalCircles reached parents whose children are now attending school, in many cases for 30-45 days. The survey, which received over 38,000 responses from parents located across 388 districts of India, focused on how masking, social distancing and hygiene and sanitation protocols are being followed in classrooms and schools where their Children go. Also, it sought to understand how children were eating in schools, whether they found gatherings safe, and whether classrooms had good air ventilation.
Parents believe that “masking” is being followed effectively in schools, with 84% saying compliance is effective. They rated “social distancing” and “cleanliness and hygiene” at 72% and 70% respectively, suggesting that these are areas that the respective state governments should implement strict guidelines for schools to follow.
Mask compliance is effective
The survey sought the pulse of parents as to whether their children were effectively adhering to the schools they attend. In response, 4% said “masking”, 2% said “social distancing”, and another 4% said “hygiene and hygiene”. Overall, 84% of parents say that “masking” is effectively followed in schools where their children attend physical classes. 72% said “hygiene and hygiene”, and 70% said “social distancing”. It is noteworthy that 52% of parents said that compliance is working effectively on all three fronts. This question got 11,119 responses in the survey.
41% of children are having their breakfast/lunch indoors
It is important for students physically attending classes to maintain social distancing, especially in common areas such as cafeterias given the highly contagious nature of the Delta variant as any asymptomatic student could potentially ingest more virus particles. Can spread indoors.
The following question sought parents’ observation of how their children or grandchildren were managing the children’s breakfast/lunch process. In response, 41% of parents indicated that their children were having their lunch or snack indoors while only 6% said they were eating outside.
Meetings are being held in the school
Advocating for the reopening of all schools in the country, the Indian Association of Preventive and Social Medicine, an association of public health experts, has advised schools to refrain from holding morning assemblies. The state governments of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar have also advised schools to avoid holding morning gatherings due to the fear of COVID spread.
In response to a question about the school that their children or grandchildren are holding assemblies, 51% of parents say their child’s school is holding assemblies, while 19% say they should. being kept indoors. This question got 16,841 responses in the survey.
No proper air ventilation in classrooms
The US-based Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has highlighted that classrooms should have good ventilation of outdoor air as it is one of the most important components to prevent the spread of COVID.
The final question in the survey asked parents about the status of air ventilation in their child’s classroom at school. In response, 40% said “Classrooms have windows with access to outside air and they keep them open when children are in the classroom. 3% said “Classrooms have air purifiers and when children are in the classroom, If so, they keep them on”. Overall, 36% of parents whose children are attending school say that classrooms don’t have good air ventilation. This question received 10,546 responses in the survey.
Here are the dos and don’ts for COVID safety in schools, according to feedback from parents, experts and LocalCircle’s internal research:
- Mandatory N-95 or KN-95 masking
- Social distancing (6 feet distance between students preferably)
- Adherence to hygiene and sanitation protocols, including the use of sanitizers
- Eating out or not eating lunch at all (less school hours)
- Outdoor air ventilation (keeping windows and doors open) and air access
- purifier if possible
- no indoor assembly
- Vaccination of all school staff
- Random antigen test if possible.
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