COIMBATORE: More challenges await schools with the state government gearing up to reopen them for lower classes.
Schools had resumed physical classes for the students of Classes IX to XII on September 1. A decision on reopening the schools for the students of Classes I to VIII is expected by this month-end, if there is no significant increase in daily Covid caseload.
Medical practitioners have suggested a few precautionary measures ahead of reopening schools for the age group of 5-15 years. They said only those students whose parents were fully vaccinated should be allowed on school campuses with strict Covid preventive measures in place.
D Vijayagiri, paediatric and laparoscopic surgeon, SGK Hospital, said, “We have seen 10 Covid clusters at Mettupalayam and surrounding areas recently. Children were among the infected and the cases were not severe among the kids whose parents were fully vaccinated. So, only those children whose parents and grandparents are fully vaccinated should be allowed to attend physical classes.”
A Jayavardhana, professor and head department of paediatrics, PSG hospitals, said the students could be virus carriers and infect their classmates or family members. “But we can break the chain if family members are fully vaccinated.”
As per the data available with the public health department, only less than 25% of the eligible population was fully vaccinated in the district four days ago.
Teachers said it would be very challenging to ensure students’ adherence to face mask etiquette and social distancing all the time.
