J&K administration is considering reopening of schools for lower classes in a phased manner keeping in view of declining fears of covid third wave.
However, the non approval of vaccines for children may hinder the progress on this move.
The administration, as per a local news agency, is closely monitoring the spread of the pandemic and a final call over the reopening is expected this month, a local news agency reported. “Over the next two to three weeks final call will be taken on reopening of schools for lower classes in staggered manner,” officials said.
An official told a local news agency that the Directors School Education and Commissioner Secretary School Education will take a call “if parents 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 Covid-19,” he said.
Physical classes were restarted for high and higher secondary students keeping in view the board examinations of 10th and 12th classes this year. “50% attendance has been carried out for both these classes so that studies could be continued along with Covid appropriate behaviour,” the official said.
The official said that the non-vaccination of children had delayed the reopening of schools in the region. “Children are unvaccinated so they are vulnerable to Covid-19,” he said. “That’s the main hindrance because if vaccination of children gets approved then administration can take a decision regarding reopening of schools.”
Whenever the positivity rate of Covid in the population decreases, the administration will allow phase wise reopening, the official told a local news agency. “It might be possible to reopen schools in a staggered manner,” the official added. “Commissioner Secretary along with Director of school education can always talk with the parents for their feedback regarding reopening of schools or not.”
