Govt mulls to reopen schools for lower classes as third wave wanes in J&K: Officials
Say non-approval of vaccination for children main hindrance for reopening of schools; ‘Authorities closely monitoring situation, final call to be taken to reopen schools in staggered manner’
Srinagar, Nov 04 (KNS): As life is limping slowly back to normal after the second wave of COVID-19, the Jammu and Kashmir government is closely monitoring the COVID situation and over the next two to three weeks final call will be taken on reopening of schools for lower classes in staggered manner,” officials said here on Thursday.
An official told Kashmir News Service (KNS) that director school education and commissioner secretary school education will take a call on reopening of schools if parents will give positive feedback about the same.
“Over the last three weeks, there is a slight increase in positive cases of COVID-19 and we are closely monitoring the situation, so that we will be prepared beforehand to tackle the third wave of COVID19,” he said.
He said that they are working with precautions in every district so as to monitor the surge or reduction of COVID positive cases in each district.
“Deputy commissioners from all districts present a weekly report of the COVID situation in their respective districts and based on that the State Executive Committee of Disaster Management headed by Chief Secretary will chair a meeting with all the concerned officials to handle the situation every week,” the official said.
Stating that all district education officials have submitted data regarding the current scenario in their respective areas, the official said that a decision would be taken according to their reports.
He said that regarding reopening of schools, first thing is that no vaccine has been approved for children yet. “That’s the main hindrance because if vaccination of children gets approved then administration can take a decision regarding reopening of schools. Children are unvaccinated so they are vulnerable to COVID19, that is why administration cannot take any risk yet,” he said.
He also said that J&K has been one of the best in the country as far as management of COVID is concerned. “Weekly review is being done every month to fight against the pandemic. Everything has been reopened keeping in view the report of every district and the SOP’s to be followed.”
He said that whenever the positivity rate of Covid decreases, the administration will allow phase wise reopening so that people don’t suffer much.
“In the coming days, if COVID positivity rate reduces then it might be possible to reopen schools in staggered manner. However, Commissioner secretary along with Director of school education can always talk with the parents for their feedback regarding reopening of schools or not,” he said.
He said that the schools were reopened for high and higher secondary students keeping in view the board examinations of 10th and 12th classes.
“50% attendance has been carried out for both these classes so that studies could be continued along with COVID appropriate behaviour. After closely monitoring the COVID situation over the next two to three weeks we will take a call on reopening of schools in staggered manner,” he said.
The official said that in case the positivity rate rises, they will again shut down all educational insututions keeping in view the safety of students. (KNS)
