Delhi Govt To Recommend Reopening Of Schools In DDMA Meeting On Thursday: Deputy CM Manish Sisodia

Delhi COVID restrictions: Delhi government today has asserted that the "excessive caution is now harming students".

Delhi Deputy CM Manish Sisodia (File photo: PTI)

New Delhi: Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia on Wednesday agreed to reopen schools in the national capital and said that it has become necessary to prevent further damage to the socio-emotional well-being of students.

While advocating the reopening of schools, Sisodia said that the government had closed schools when it was not safe for children, but excessive caution is now harming students.

He also mentioned that the Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) will chair a meeting on Thursday to discuss the possibility of easing the COVID-19 related restrictions in the city.

Sisodia's comment has come following a meeting with the delegation of parents led by Chandrakant Lahariya, an epidemiologist and public policy specialist.

"A delegation of parents of Delhi's children led by @DrLahariya, @AiyarYamini submitted a memorandum to me signed by more than 1600 parents for reopening of schools. Why we are the last among major countries to decide on this?," Sisodia wrote on Twitter.

A delegation of parents of Delhi's children led by @DrLahariya, @AiyarYamini submitted a memorandum to me signed by more than 1600 parents for reopening of schools.

Why we are the last among major countries to decide on this? pic.twitter.com/xyH9hpUXi1

— Manish Sisodia (@msisodia) January 26, 2022

Sisodia also said, "The pandemic-induced school closures have not only affected their studies but also their mental health. During COVID, our priority was children's safety. But since various researches have now found that COVID is not so harmful for kids, it is important to reopen the schools, as now is the time for exams and related preparations".

The Delhi Minister said that the schools are being reopened in several countries and even many Indian states.

"On this basis, the Delhi Government will recommend reopening of schools in the DDMA meeting scheduled on January 27," he said.

"While the COVID cases and positivity rate are on the decline in Delhi, it would not be suitable to keep children away from schools. With children returning to schools, not only will the schools witness a buzz but it will also indicate lives coming back on track," he said.

Last year, in view of the third wave driven by the Omicron variant, schools in Delhi were again closed on December 28. 

Meanwhile, after rising to a high of 94,160 on January 13, the number of COVID cases has halved in just 12 days, while it required 21 days for the active caseload to drop by half during the second wave a year ago.

(With Agency Inputs)