Consultant Pediatrician of the Lady Ridgeway Hospital Dr. Pujitha Wickremasinghe says it is imperative that authorities reopen schools, with the lifting of travel restrictions in Sri Lanka.
Speaking to media at the Health Promotion Bureau today, Dr. Pujitha Wickremasinghe said it was the parents’ responsibility to mentally prepare the child at home.
Dr. Wickremasinghe stressed that the long-term effects of children being stuck at home due to the pandemic would be witnessed in the next five to six years.
He added that a child’s sharp knowledge grasping abilities would be blunt if continuous classroom learning is not provided.
He warned that a population of socially distant individuals would be created, who will be unable to form meaningful connections with peers.
Dr. Wickremasinghe noted that school teachers who used to identify skills of students in the classroom, polished those talents prior to the pandemic.
However he commented that future generations would not have the skills required, and will be unable to present original ideas if lockdowns continue.
Dr. Wickremasinghe therefore reiterated that schools must also reopen when authorities decide to lift the island-wide lockdown.
