The Covid 19 pandemic is all over us like a rash affecting every realm of our day-to-day life with schooling being no exception to this. Schools in the city were shuttered in the last week of March following the guidelines to the effect issued by the Central Government.

Teaching and learning moved seamlessly online when it became painfully apparent that the pandemic could not be simply wished away, nor could education be put off any longer. With no Avenue left open with school authorities, tests and exams also found their way on to online platforms. 

The success of whole or partial lockdowns clamped for months on end was authenticated, as well as corroborated, by the various governmental and non-governmental agencies time and again, if for no other reason but for pinning and parading a few more medals of glory on the chest of the incumbent authorities. Even the media sang paenas lauding the bold and timely steps taken by the government to keep school-going children out of the harm's way. This was the time when the first and the second wave of the pandemic was in its nascent fury and the dreaded third wave was awaited with anxiety and apprehension.

Now the third wave has struck us with vengeful fury, something that has been acknowledged publically by the CM of Delhi a few days ago, justifying as he was why the Covid positive cases in Delhi have breached every previously-known ceiling skyrocketing to almost 7000 patients being diagnosed with this potentially fatal affliction everyday. It is ironically and comically tragic that when the pandemic is baring its nastiest fangs at us, children, acknowledged as one of the most vulnerable groups to this fatal disease, are being asked to report to schools for writing their exams!

The consternation and vexation, which parents like me feel, intensifies further when unsubstantiated and unverified claims are made by school managements. They vindicate their decision, and the subsequent decree, to call children to schools on the basis of the consent forms signed by us a few months ago asserting that a majority of parents had assented to send their wards to school for writing their exams. Imagine a sane and sagacious parent agreeing to offer their progeny as a sacrificial lamb!

[11/6, 13:31] Vishal Huria: This decision assumes monstrously befuddling proportion in the backdrop of the recent announcement of the CBSE alluding at the deferment of the Boards exams to April or May 2021. Such anachronistic and autocratic decisions must be derided and decried in the strongest possible terms.

Please sign my petition imploring the Government of Delhi to order schools not to summon their students to school for writing their pre-board exams.