The $6.6 Billion budget intended for reopening schools in the State of California receives an OK from the California Legislature, targeting the face-to-face learning of the students, which was halted due to the emergence of COVID-19.

The coronavirus pandemic has led to the suspension of face-to-face learning not only in the state of California but also in other states. The efforts to formulate COVID-19 vaccines were pushed by different pharmaceutical companies, aiming to give immunization to Americans. MSN quoted Associated Press, saying the hefty amount approved by the legislature is a movement to pressure the school districts in returning their students to their classrooms by the end of the school year.

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The Budget Plan

While the $6.6 Billion seem to be a costly amount, U.S. News and World Report noted that the approved bill does not pressure all the schools situated in the District of California to push in the reopening of their classroom for their students. However, the state will only give the budget to those who are willing to reopen the classroom and offer in-person learning for the students who are enrolled in their institution.

The Business Journal mentioned California State Senator Scott Wiener said that "we need to get the schools reopen," noting the state is providing all the significant and powerful tools for schools to navigate and move to the direction the State authorities wish to. Composed of almost 6.1 million, most of the students from the 1,037 public school districts of California have been attending their classes online since the pandemic has begun.

Associated Press also mentioned that frustrated parents worrying about their children's education is also a driving force of the state to implement in-person learning.

Schools on their opening

The educators and the academe also have valid reasons why they are against the reopening of their schools for their students. Associated Press mentioned Assemblywoman Cristina Garcia from Bell Gardens in Los Angeles County, stating her opinion as a former Math teacher. "We know that that's the place we need our kids to be, but we're afraid because you are asking to put our lives at risk," Garcia said.

Another factor why the schools are still skeptical about the reopening is because, according to U.S. News and World Report, the bill does not indicate the length of time the children should report in their classroom for in-person learning. This brought upon fear on the school districts of California if they will still be liable for the share of the budget in case, they will only require their students to report once a week.

The Business Journal added that the Republicans in the Senate have tried to amend the bill, requesting to make the students report to school three times a week, but the Democrats in the majority rejected the idea. The bill that received approval from the California Legislature to trigger the schools for in-person learning also requires most elementary school students to return to the classroom to get the said money.

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