Amid coronavirus scare, Mohali institutes still operating

Harshabab Sidhu

Mohali, March 13

Amid Covid-19 scare in the city, coaching institutes in Mohali are issuing precaution advisory and various instructions to the students. However, they classes are still continuing.

The Punjab Education Board announced today that all the private and government schools will remain closed till March 31.

Around 50-100 students are studying in major coaching institutes in Mohali. The institution authorities claimed that they are taking proper care of their students by instructing them about precautions.

Touchstone, an IELTS (International English Language Testing System) institute in Phase 3B2, has a strength of around 100 students. The management said they had kept hand sanitisers at all spots and that hygiene and cleanliness were being maintained. Students have been asked not to shake hands with each other and also not to share their food. They have been told to bring separate water bottles in the classroom.

Anjana, an official of Touchstone, said: “We are regularly checking the temperature of students. Those with cough, cold or any kind of sickness are asked not to attend the classes.”

Sakshi, manager of Grey Matters Institute, said students with symptoms of any sickness are asked to rest at their homes.

She said later, extra classes would be arranged for these students. “We have two branches in the tricity and each has around 60 students. We are instructing them regularly,” she said.

However, students of some institutes said they had not been given any instructions regarding the disease yet.

Raspinder Pannu, who is preparing for IELTS in Touchmatter institute in Mohali, said: “No instructions have been given to us yet. I think the classes should be closed for some days.”

Mohali Civil Surgeon Dr Manjit said they had not issued any instructions to the educational institutes as it was the duty of the district administration.

Mohali officiating Deputy Commissioner Aashika Jain said the district administration had conducted a training and sensitisation session for all departments. “Educational Department has been specifically instructed to disseminate information among all educational and coaching institutions,” said Aashika Jain.

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