Schools in Punjab will reopen tomorrow for students from class 5 to 12
Chandigarh:
Schools in Punjab will reopen tomorrow only for students in class 5 to 12, the state government said today in a statement. Schools can work from 10 am to 3 pm, Punjab Education Minister Vijay Inder Singla said in the statement.
Singla said the decision comes after persistent demand from parents to reopen all schools – government, semi-government and private.
“If the strength of the students is great in the school and the rules of social distancing cannot be maintained, in that case, the principal or the management of the school can make the decision to take the classes in two shifts or to call the students on alternate days, on their own. level, “said the Minister of Education.
He said staff and students living in containment zones cannot go to schools. Attendance is not compulsory. Students who want to continue learning online can do so, the minister said.
He said the Chief Minister, Captain Amarinder Singh, called on officials to ensure the safety of children amid the COVID-19 pandemic. All schools must strictly follow the guidelines, standard operating procedures, and warnings issued by the state health department and the Ministry of Health.
The administration of several schools had requested the education department to allow them to reopen before the annual exams so that students can do a final review.
Thousands of schools across the country have been closed since the pandemic hit India early last year and the closure was imposed. Many have started to reopen only in recent times.
A vaccine should be given to adults first, starting with teachers, to prevent the spread of coronavirus disease in the community through students, the head of the Indian Council for Medical Research (ICMR) said on Tuesday while responding to a question about when can Indians expect schools. to reopen.
“The UK has burned its fingers twice when opening schools. Teachers should be the first to get vaccinated. The adults in their families should also get vaccinated so it doesn’t spread,” said ICMR Director General Dr Balram Bhargava, on Tuesday.
The question becomes important as only one of the two vaccines approved so far, Covishield from the Serum Institute of India and Covaxin from Bharat Biotech, has been tested in children.
Dr. Bhargava also shared data from Covaxin phase 1 and 2 clinical trials that showed “very low adverse events” in volunteers that included children older than 12 years.
While the Comptroller General of Drugs of India has allowed testing of Covaxin in those 12 and older in ongoing phase 3, it has approved Covishield injections for adults only.
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