swine flu has hit chennai with the death of little sanjay balakrishnan. here's how two different city schools are handling the scare.
school 1 - email from principal
- tells children who've just come in to india from countries with h1n1, to stay away from school
- gives details of symptoms
- gives list of precautions to take
- gives names of hospitals in the city equipped to handle the illness, along with phone numbers and addresses
the email then says, 'and on our part, this is what we are doing for the health and safety of our children...' and goes on to give a list of precautions school is taking.
- disinfecting and cleaning high contact areas - labs, toilets etc twice every day
- disinfecting and cleaning handles twice every day
- providing disinfectant handwash in all toilets and sink areas
- providing tissues and paper towels in all toilets and sink areas
- providing information on symptoms and prevention
school 2 - paper circular and email from principal
- asks parents not to send children to school if children are unwell
- asks parents to ensure children wash hands before meals
- tells parents not to send children to enclosed spaces like cinema theatres
- wants parents to inform school of travel plans
- asks parents to take child to a govt. hospital - gives name - for testing if child remains unwell for more than 2 days
- begs parents not to panic.
and what is the school doing, apart from telling parents what to do? is the school taking any preventive measures at all? children in the school say there isn't even any soap in the toilets, and we're talking about a premium city school!
school 1 is an american school, used to parents asking questions, sharing information, demanding action.
school 2 is a traditional indian school where suggestions from parents are accepted, but questions are not encouraged and information is not freely shared.
we accept so little from figures in authority. why are we afraid to assert ourselves and demand our rights? why are we so ready to make excuses for people who shouldn't be needing excuses anyway?
'oh no, let's just give suggestions. they won't like it if we say anything. what can they do with so many children. as if they can disinfect slides and swings anyway!'
these were comments i heard all the time, and honestly, i felt like hitting the mothers on the head with something hard and sharp! yes, traditional indian schools are generally reluctant to treat parents as equals who have a right to question their authority, and get clear, detailed answers
but
it's the safety of our children. we have a right to know. we have a right to demand and expect action. this is not the time for 'let's take it as it comes,' or 'let's tone down our opinions, or else school will get upset' attitudes.
there is much school can do, other than suggesting we keep sick children home, or sending children with sniffles back home, or closing down school for a day or so.
ask questions. suggest solutions. expect answers. demand action. if school authorities don't like it, well, just too bad - it's our children, and if we don't stand up for them, who will?
