This statement comes in the wake of a tepid response from students to attend classes after the universities reopen.
Universities, which reopened after Diwali on Nov.17 in Karnataka, would be closed if COVID-19 cases spike again, state Health Minister Dr. K Sudhakar said on Sunday.
“Although graduate, engineering, and polytechnic colleges reopened for seniors after being closed for more than eight months, we may close them again if COVID-19 cases increase in the state, as student safety and teachers are more important than offline classes. ” Sudhakar told reporters here in the northwestern region of the state.
The response of students to the reopening of the universities has also been tepid last week, as in addition to the negative report of the COVID-19 test of the RT-PCR method, the consent letter from the parents was mandatory to attend classes. with face mask.
“Because students weren’t getting test reports on time and many parents have been cautious about sending their students to classes offline, attendance was 15 to 20 percent at most colleges in five days last week, “Sudhakar recalls.
Although COVID-19 cases have been declining across the southern state for the past three weeks and recoveries have outnumbered positive cases, the state’s count of 8,71,342 as of Friday is the second-largest after Maharashtra nationwide, with 24,714 active cases and 11,641 deaths to date.
“As we have to protect students and shape their academic futures, universities have been conducting classes online since August to ensure continuity of their studies,” Sudhakar said.
According to the state health department, tests in cities and towns showed that only 130 students were infected, while most of them were virus-free.
“If more students test positive, we may have to close the universities and continue with online classes. We will assess the situation and decide in a week,” said the minister, who is a doctor by profession.
The state government decided to reopen pre-college courses (PUC) and medical schools as of December 1 if COVID-19 cases decline further in the state.
“One reason most students test negative is because of a more natural immunity that they have at their age, although some of them may be vulnerable,” Sudhakar said.
On the reopening of schools, which have also been closed since mid-March due to the COVID-19-induced lockdown and its extension, the minister said the issue would be discussed with Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa at a meeting in Bengaluru on Monday.
“The state education minister, S. Suresh Kumar, health experts, and officials will discuss when schools could reopen, as their safety was paramount. As parental consent was more important, they will also be consulted in the schools. schools where his pupils study, “Sudhakar said. .
To contain the spread of the virus, the use of a mask, thermal protection and the maintenance of physical distance will be mandatory, all schools must prepare for the new normal to ensure the safety of students and teachers.
