4 Mohali schools shut over non-compliance of Covid norms

Tribune News Service

Mohali, August 11

The Sub-Divisional Magistrates of three sub-divisions conducted a surprise check of the schools in their respective areas and ordered closure of four schools due to non-compliance of safety protocols.

After 27 students tested positive in four districts of Punjab, the Mohali administration has decided to ensure 100 per cent vaccination of the school staff.

District administration teams, in collaboration with the Education Department, inspected Jitender Veer Sarvhitkari Model Senior Secondary School, Sector 71, and Smart Wonder School, Sector 71, under the supervision of SDM, Mohali, Harbans Singh to know about the vaccination status of the teaching staff.

The vaccination record of school staff was checked thoroughly for the safeguard of students.

Harbans Singh informed that Sarvhitkari School principal Kavita Attri had not taken even a single dose of the Covid-19 vaccine, while seven teachers had been administered only one dose of the vaccine.

Sweeper and babysitter also have not been administered a single dose of the vaccine, he said.

“Orders have been issued to close the school till further instructions due to non-compliance of Covid protocols. Record of Smart Wonders School was found appropriate during the checking,” said Deputy Commissioner Girish Dayalan.

SDM, Kharar, Aakash Bansal, meanwhile, visited DAV Model Senior Secondary School, Kurali, and found that 18 staff members had been administered only a single dose of the vaccine, which is a clear violation of the norms.

Bansal also said the presence of students exceeded 80 per cent of the total strength, which was against the 50 per cent norm.

Meanwhile, Dera Bassi SDM conducted checking at two schools – Manav Mangal Smart School, Zirakpur, and Delhi World Public School, Zirakpur.

During the inspection it was found that 52 staff members of Manav Mangal Smart School had not been administered the second dose of the vaccine, whereas 27 staff members of Delhi World Public School had received just one dose of the vaccine.

The SDMs concerned have issued the orders to close the schools till further directions.

The administration has also asked the police to “register FIR against the erring schools”, who called teachers/staff without being fully vaccinated and putting the health of students at risk.

“The police have been told to take stern action against the erring schools for violations of the administrative orders,” said Dayalan.

“We have asked for an FIR to be registered under Sections 188, 269 and 270 of the IPC and Section 51 of the Disaster Management Act against the management of the schools – who called teachers/staff without being fully vaccinated – in violation of the orders, and putting the health of students at risk. The reasoning that they weren’t due for their second dose, is not a valid excuse, as they just ought not to have come (to school),” he added.

Join Whatsapp Channel of The Tribune for latest updates.