Part 2: Prolonged Shutdown of Schools Affecting Students' Health as Well?

<div>If the shutting down of schools affected the accessibility of education, it also affected physical and mental health of students from across various communities.<br> <br> </div> <div>Although there's not been any survey on the mental health crisis among children in the pandemic, from a report published in the journal <a href="https://www.newscientist.com/article/2251523-covid-19-lockdown-means-115-million-indian-children-risk-malnutrition/#ixzz6XX6DEK3H">New Scientist</a>, we at least know that a stunning 115 million children in India are at risk of malnutrition, as the mid-day meal programme was disrupted by the pandemic.<br> <br> </div> <div>And it's not just a concern about mid-day meal beneficiaries only. In these pandemic months, the general food insecurities that propped up in the marginalised communities have raised concerns of malnutrition amongst school-going children generally.<br> <br> </div> <div>Given that students with poor or no access to internet or mobiles and laptops, or even enough personal space, might find the old fashioned in-person teaching methods useful, should India reopen schools?<br> <br> </div> <div>As students of classes 9 -12 are set to re-join schools on a voluntary basis from 21 September, is it going to be a risky choice especially for malnourished children since the coronavirus infections are increasing? What work needs to be done before India re-opens schools for all? Tune in to The Big Story!</div> <div> <br> Also Listen to: <a href="https://audioboom.com/posts/7684095-part-1-should-india-reopen-schools-or-provide-equitable-education-first">Part 1: Should India Reopen Schools or Provide Equitable Education First?</a> </div> <div> <br> <strong>References:</strong><br> <br> </div> <ul> <li><a href="https://www.thequint.com/voices/opinion/online-teaching-amid-covid-19-brings-out-digital-divide-in-society">Online Teaching Amid COVID-19 Brings Out Digital Divide in Society</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.indiaspend.com/over-80-parents-in-5-s