With the demand to reopen schools gaining momentum, it is no longer a debate between school managements and parents, but a major topic of concern in current times. Expert educationists are throwing light on the serious impact on children’s holistic development — academic, physical, mental, emotional as well as social growth. Demanding introspection, they are asking, are we ruining the next generation?

Elaborating on the loss for students, Fatema Agarkar, educationist and founder of ACE (Agarkar Centre of Excellence), said, “The online learning module was a good alternative but not an option to actual schooling. Not only is there a lack of literacy and numeracy skills among children today, there is also a huge impact on the mental health of children. With less social interaction, especially at younger ages, the children are exhibiting extreme behaviour. And how can learning happen if the child is not emotionally secure?"