“What is considered in education is hardly ever the boy or girl, the young man or young woman, but almost always, in some form, the maintenance of the existing order,” warned Russell in his essay, Education as a Political Institution. Education is, without a doubt, a social and political institution. In the face of a pandemic, everything becomes less predictable, especially in countries where those in leadership positions frequently miscalculate their bearings and confuse others with surprise decisions.

Whenever the question of a schooling shaped by political policies is raised, what follows is a discussion on subjects that are taught as well as the habits the pupils pick up at school.

The frequent breaks from school on account of Covid-19 have resulted in a marked deterioration of habits among many children. This includes inconsistency in routines like going to school, assembling before the faculty, sitting in a class, taking a break, participating in extra- and co-curricular activities, etc. An important aspect of this, which was mostly taken for granted till the outbreak of Covid-19, is socialising with people one’s age as well as those in other age groups.

Our children used to learn at school about the way they were supposed to behave with their elders and how that was different from how they behaved among their peers. Their passion and energy for different sports remained cultured as long as they stayed on school premises. There was a time to study and a time to play. It is the ‘immaterial culture’ that is inculcated through socialising at school. This makes schools the greatest determiner of social values and morals.

However, now, when the children are sent to school, many of them focus on re-grouping with their friends. They take school as an open space where the possibilities of running around and breathing outdoors exist. It gives them a break from their parents. School is the new escape.

Sadly, some of our policy makers are less active in their jobs and more on Twitter. Their suspending the decision of opening the school and inconsistent policies are detrimental for the mental health of students. The hue and cry over social media gives the impression that educational policies are determined by their negative remarks/ comments.

On one hand, the children’s routine is disturbed; and, on the other, the social values have changed. Few parents are fit for taking sole responsibility for the schooling of their children. They are the product of another age and the only methods that they are aware of are often unfit for the age of information.

The government need not wait for contingencies to arise, before they come up with mandatory changes. For example, in the new academic year, which has just started, they must determine early the kind of examinations to be given. The syllabus must be tailored to fit the shorter duration available for teaching. The number of subjects the students take should be reduced if necessary. The date of examination must be decided and announced early so that students adapt their routines to the schedule. The aggregate needed for promotion to the next class must also be decided right away. Because there will be less instruction, the students must be assigned projects videos they can pick online. Last but not the least, the policy makers have to remember that the teachers are also human beings. Sitting lame or getting consumed in lesson plans is not going to improve their productivity.

Covid-19 is real. The threats it poses are also real. But our handling of the situation has looked unreal. The much needed change in the students’ habits will not take place till the situation goes back to normal. Till then, the policy makers should anticipate the outcomes of this academic year and come up with sound policies to improve the effectiveness of the intellectual exercise called education.

The writer is an assistant professor of English at FGEIs, Ministry of Defence. She also has a YouTube channel — Learn English with Fatima. She can be reached at learnenglishwithfatima@gmail.com