After spending just over 9 weeks in isolation under a curfew at the behest of the State to prevent the spread of COVID-19, people are slowly resuming their daily routine. For working parents, this presents a conundrum as the schools are still shut albeit teaching taking place online. However, parents are unable to leave their children unattended and return to work. 

Comparing statistics with the rest of the world, it appears that Sri Lanka has performed exceedingly well in containing the virus. Therefore, it may only be a matter of weeks before schools too are reopened and children are expected to leave their virtual classrooms and return to the real thing. 
The topic of sending one’s child back to school has raised some consternation amongst parents, with opinions divided if the environment is safe for them to return to school or not. Although not officially announced, it is expected that there will be a raft of health and safety issues that each school will need to follow and adhere to before children are allowed to return. 

With safety being a paramount concern, many parents are faced with the dilemma if they should follow the rules and send their children to school or desist and keep them at home. 
Here is what parents have to say. 

Sam Mutthumani 

“I am not sending mine back until next term. I would rather have them stay home to do online schooling than take a risk. France sent kids back and 70 tested positive in the first week. Children have no concept of social distancing.” 

Nishu Gunawardana 

“My main concern is how kids will travel to and from school. Even if they disinfect and sanitise schools, who is responsible for the modes of transport. My kids travel in school vans where social distancing is unheard of and you can’t expect drivers and owners of these vans to fully comply with regulations. What if you don’t own a private vehicle? What if your kids are too young to travel on public transport, then what do we do? So many unanswered questions.” 

Shayanika De Silva Fernando 

“I don’t think this is the time to open schools. It’s tough for working mums and I know every day is a challenge with lots of planning required. However, the threat of being exposed is very high and probable with infected numbers still in the double digits on a daily basis. Also, kids don’t understand social distancing. I am not even sure an 18-year-old will be able to practice social distancing when they see their friends after so long.” 

Shanthini Navaratnam 
“Though it’s not safe to send children to school immediately, definitely the government should seriously think of taking steps to reopen schools. Children are getting spoilt by being at home as they spend most of their time on mobiles and laptops. As there are no sports activities they are getting depressed. If this goes on for longer we will have to face different problems with our younger generation. All children will start demanding laptops in the future refusing to take notes in class. There are families with many kids. Imagine the data cost, also how many computers or mobiles they will need in a house.” 

Shanilka Kobbekaduwa Adams 
“I don’t think normalcy will return for some time and I do hope they don’t reopen schools till the third term. Because children will be children, they will never wear their masks during the full school day in the heat, nor will they wash their hands as they should. It’s a risk. Life does have to go on and we cannot live in fear of sickness forever, but I do think we have to be extra careful with children. I would definitely be apprehensive to send my children to school so soon.” 

Anusha Jayawardena 
“How do children and teachers in rural schools manage to impart and receive an education with no internet connection or laptops? I’m not sure if opening schools is the best thing but I think the government needs to look into and help schools /teachers/children that don’t have these facilities.” 

Desmond Don Paul 
“Another 6 months of no classroom schooling will not deprive Sri Lanka of astronauts. It is better to be safe and have the children that we have so loved and cared for. Perhaps the authorities should think of a hybrid solution. 1 ) Split face to face classroom sessions, say 30% of normal classroom sizes. 2 ) Online classes 3) For the remote areas where internet facilities are not available or affordable have full classes. This on the understanding that the population is not dense as in the city and adjoining suburbs.” 

Hermione Bigland 

“I think for the emotional well being of our children going back to school is really important. I think we have to understand and learn to live with Covid-19 until there is an effective vaccine. Confidently and safely sending our children to school teaches our children not to be fearful. This is a huge challenge for us and will undoubtedly change schooling and education. Lockdown has been a huge eye-opening experience for all of us, especially how our children are educated. I for one have found it very beneficial and I will forever be more aware of how important life skills, as well as formal education, is for our children, the world is one big classroom for them but children desperately need their peers, routine and to take responsibility, that includes learning to take precautions with COVID 19. We can’t stop living, we have to go forward and sending our children to school is part of the process.” 

Fran Gunawardana 
“I’m very uncertain about the situation out there... with this new twist of the Kawasaki disease symptoms surfacing, I’m very scared for them. I may not send them till I’m 500% certain it’s safe.” 

Amani Ibham 

“Social distancing and maintaining precautionary measures in schools especially in Srilanka is close to impossible. Children are adapting to online learning and also are getting involved in activities they didn’t have time for before. So technically they aren’t falling behind. I understand schools in rural areas are facing a major drawback of not having enough access to technology. But considering the chances of spreading the pandemic versus falling behind academically, we should go for the better option, which is staying home. I would personally not send my child until I am confident.” 

Dayani Fernando 

“My husband and I have decided that we will not send our children to school as they are expecting a worse wave of COVID 19 in the Fall and Winter. Our 13-year-old son is doing very well with the online classes independently. He misses his friends but keeps in touch with them via facetime, zoom, etc. Our younger son needs help with his school work. They are both required to spend time outdoors each day, whether it be cycling in the neighbourhood, playing on Trampoline or watering the plants Since the lockdown began, I’ve focused on teaching my older son life skills, and we have fun cooking/baking in the kitchen. I also think it’s an ideal time to explore new skills and talents, whether it be learning an instrument, creative writing, or doing Yoga. In the grand scheme of life, not being able to GO TO school, and learning online is just a blip. Safety is the most important thing for us.”