Iranian schools reopened to 15 million students on September 5 after remaining closed for seven months due to the COVD-19 pandemic, and a photo showing how a class was going has been making the rounds on the internet.
The photo, which was shared on Twitter by journalist Farnaz Fassihi, showed students sitting inside transparent tents. There was a girl in each tent and none of them wore a mask.
“School in Iran’s pandemic era,” Fassihi wrote.
Take a look here:
School in the era of the pandemic in Iran. pic.twitter.com/Gg6v7KMhbh
— Farnaz Fassihi (@farnazfassihi) September 8, 2020
Although the innovation impressed many, others expressed concern about the health risks of sitting inside an enclosed tent. Take a look at some of the reactions:
At least they invest in children to educate them.
— She Man (@LisaAz4evah) September 8, 2020
Is it bad that I think it’s cute or does it bring back memories of building forts from my childhood?
— LynnInChicago (@LynnInChicago2) September 8, 2020
I would have loved that when I was a kid. At least Iran takes it seriously… so there’s us.
— BlueBellBetty (@BlueBellBetty) September 8, 2020
You know we’ve finally internalized the absurdity of 2020 when the answers are “so cute!” instead of “how disturbing that this way of life is necessary”. 😢
— Vote Vote (@KarenDZachary) September 9, 2020
Well, it looks cozy and a bit magical and no masks.
— Jamie Schler (@lifesafeeast) September 8, 2020
It’s not the worst idea I’ve seen. Cute little cubes for every child that they can decorate and take care of themselves.
— SandyTodd (@sandnseaOR) September 9, 2020
Thus, these children will not die from the virus. They will die from breathing in their own carbon dioxide all day.
—Jen Giacone (@MaddFan1) September 8, 2020
My children have just returned from their first day of school. They wore masks all day, had to sit 6 feet from their friends, and couldn’t share anything. How are tents worse?
— Sarcasm personified (@visgrrl) September 8, 2020
It looks so cute but feels like a punishment, like an American looking at this photo.
– I think with my head (@Gtrealmacoy) September 8, 2020
President Hassan Rouhani oversaw the reopening of schools through a live video conference on state television. He cited the equal importance of education and health as the reason for his decision to reopen educational institutions, Reuters reported.
“This year, we are taking on a greater burden of responsibility towards our students,” the president said.
According to reports, Iran is one of the countries most affected by the coronavirus pandemic in the Middle East with more than 384,000 cases.
