Indian Academy of Pediatrics Guidelines on School Reopening, Remote Learning and Curriculum in and After the COVID-19 Pandemic

Ghate, Swati; Parekh, Bakul Jayant; Thapar, Rajeev Kumar; Nadkarni, P. R.; Sen, Santanu; Bansal, Utkarsh; Sambhariya, Chhaya Harnarain; Popat, Swati; Bhattacharya, Piyali; Kirtani, Sushma; Kanetkar, Yashwant; Vats, Swati Popat; Kamath, S. S.; Raj, Manu; Basavaraja, G. V.; Gupta, Piyush

JUSTIFICATION: With the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic and the resultant school closure, children all over the country are undergoing a lot of educational, psychosocial, and physical problems. There is an urgent and deep felt need to offer scientific and concrete guidance for these concerns and support children in their educational development during these testing times. OBJECTIVES: To review the guidelines and recommendations given by various international agencies and formulate guidelines in the Indian context on (a) how and when to reopen the schools; (b) ways and means of remote learning; and (c) to identify the contents of curriculum that need restructuring in context of the current situation. PROCESS: Indian Academy of Pediatrics (IAP) formed a task force of pediatricians, educationists and technological experts who connected through various video and social platforms. They gathered and exchanged information and thoughts. The writing committee drafted the guidelines and got approval of all the members of the task force. RECOMMENDATIONS: Schools can be reopened only when the local epidemiological parameters are favorable, the administration is equipped with adequate infrastructure and health care facilities, and the stakeholders (teachers, students, parents, and support staff) are prepared for the new normal. In the meanwhile, remote learning (media-based and /or otherwise) should reach to the last student to maintain uninterrupted education. The curriculum needs to be revised, with focus on revision and core contents. Informal learning of psychosocial empowerment and daily living skills should be encouraged rather than stressful formal learning.