National campaign calling for resumption of in-class education launched

AMMAN — Civil society institutions and concerned individuals have announced the launch of the “National Campaign for the Return to Schools”, demanding that the government resume in-class education.

In a statement, the campaign called for a “gradual, immediate and safe return of school students” while demanding that parents and children be given the right to choose either between distance learning or in-class education.

The campaign also asked that the online learning platforms be kept for students who do not want to return to schools but are serious about continuing their education online.

The campaign drew mixed reactions from citizens on social media.

Lawrence Hasan, a grandmother, supported the campaign by saying that “the abrupt closure of schools has pressured both working and non-working parents, leaving negative social, educational and mental effects on kids”.

“Children’s social and mental development is also a part of protecting their health. Children should be sent back to schools or else their development will be seriously hindered,” Hasan added.

The campaign demanded the immediate resumption of kindergarten, with parents being given the right to choose between in-class education and remote learning. 

It also called for “the immediate return” of the first three grades by implementing a “specific mechanism to ensure adherence to safety measures and physical distancing, while specifying certain days per week to go to school for remainder of the current academic year and the beginning of the second semester.”

Horouf Ghala, a mother, who opposed the campaign, said that children’s safety is “more important than anything else given the current epidemiological situation”.

“I hope that the Ministry of Education looks into these demands seriously and determines what is best for the children, not for those looking to make a profit off of risking our children’s lives,” she added.