New Delhi: As the test positivity rate (TPR) in the national capital falls to five per cent, a new survey has found that 48 per cent of parents in Delhi are ready to send their children back to schools and 69 per cent of them want to send their kids to school once the TPR is below two per cent.
As the new Covid variant Omicron lead to a surge in daily cases, the Delhi government in December imposed a series of restrictions, including the closure of schools, to curb the spread of the virus.
The survey by social media community platform LocalCircles asked residents of Delhi: “What should be the criteria to restart in-person schools in Delhi?” To this, 48 per cent of parents said schools should be reopened now as the test positivity rate is at five per cent or lower, while 21 per cent said “restart in-person school once test positivity rate drops to 2% or lower.” Thirty-one per cent of parents said “only look at restarting in-person schools in the next session in March-April this year.”
The survey took responses from 9,758 residents across all districts of Delhi. Sixty-four per cent of the respondents were men while 36 per cent were women.
According to the Delhi government bulletin, the test positivity rate in the national capital fell to 5.09 per cent Tuesday. It had peaked to 30.64 per cent on 14 January.
Survey suggests reopening of schools once TPR reaches 2%
On 30 January, the National Progressive School Conference (NPSC) — a body representing 122 private schools in Delhi — wrote to Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal saying that the prolonged closure of schools due to the Covid pandemic had not only hampered learning but has also taken a toll on the mental and physical health of children.
Suggesting immediate reopening of schools, the survey said, “Basis inputs from scientists, epidemiologists, virologists and pediatricians, data from the risk of re-infection by BA.2 sub-variant post BA.1 infection and transmissible nature of Omicron and survey findings, a conservative approach is warranted in regard to reopening of schools at this time.”
“It is suggested that schools be reopened once TPR reaches 2% which on the basis of the current decline rates is likely to happen by Feb 10th. However, if there are critical reasons like exams, attendance of senior classes, etc. schools may be opened on selective basis now since the TPR is nearly 5%,” it added.
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