As public schools gear up to receive students for in-person education after a gap of two years due to the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic, a number of experts have underlined the importance of a return to face-to-face education.
The GDN reported on Thursday that more than 250,000 students are expected to be back in schools by Wednesday.
A total of 147,000 students return to 210 government schools, around 84,000 children have already started the new academic year in 79 private schools and 19,887 pupils will start kindergarten and nursery at 250 independent institutions.
Experts in the educational field, talking to Bahrain News Agency, have said how being present in school and classes makes a major difference to students wanting to achieve their academic goals.
International reports have stated that closing schools for long periods can not only cause educational loss but it can also affect a student’s social and emotional growth.
To put parents’ minds at ease for the return of students, public schools are holding induction days from today to Tuesday from 8am to 8pm.
The introductory days include informing parents of the most important milestones of the new academic year and handing them student files that include key information such as a sample of the academic schedule, the calendar and financial vouchers for the students who will be returning to classes on Wednesday.
Karzakan Primary School head of schools and director Ali Ahmed Kazem said in-person education balances the students’ educational, health, pedagogical and social needs.
“This year is different, and it will be clear to students following the interruption of the past two years,” he said.
“There is a big difference between studying remotely and actually attending classes which can be fun and enhances direct contact with other students.”
He pointed out that the school is an educational environment that contributes to strengthening the emotional side of a student while also building up capabilities and refining personality.
It will also ensure the students’ security and safety while taking the precautionary measures such as spacing and measuring temperatures and more.
Education Ministry professor Walid Hassan Bashir said the presence of students in schools was the most appropriate for the education process to succeed.
“It is the ideal environment for students to learn, achieve their academic goals and also an ideal place to acquire social and cultural life skills by integrating with others from different cultures,” he said.
He said preparations for returning to schools began following a significant decrease in the number of infections and the achievement of collective immunity in the community.
Meanwhile, Badr Al Kubra Primary School for Boys Professor Marwa Al Kooheji pointed out that the situation will not return to what it was before the pandemic despite all the efforts made by the Education Ministry and teachers.
“So, teachers should create a psychologically and morally safe environment to encourage the students to express their fears and concerns, and teachers should be fully aware of the impact of these challenges and check on their pupils regularly to ensure that the education process is proceeding optimally.”
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