Chandigarh Education Department unlikely to extend summer break

Deepankar Sharda

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, May 27

Amid a decline in the number of Covid-19 cases, the UT Education Department is unlikely to extend summer holidays. Though there has been no official announcement in this regard, sources maintained that the schools will be reopened again on a minimum attendance basis.

Keeping in view the pandemic, the department had earlier this month announced summer vacation in government schools till June 8.

“The department is unlikely to extend summer holidays. However, the final call will be taken a week prior to June 8 in the war-room meeting. As far as the department is concerned, it is expected that the schools will reopen with minimum attendance,” said a source.

School principals and teachers, who were looking after the work of admissions and result preparations for Class 10, were attending the school as per requirements.

“Though private schools are operating, government schools will be reopening with extra precautions. The cases are on the decline and infected teachers are also recovering well. Even officials are in no hurry considering the health of students as well as faculty members,” said another source.

Teachers, seeking anonymity, said the department should not take any decision in a hurry.

“A total of 200 fresh cases were reported from the city on Thursday, which is good news. However, the department should not take any decision in a hurry. At least one-week report should be considered before taking the decision to reopen the schools. Teachers should also be vaccinated at the earliest so that they can perform their duties without stress. Vaccination drives should be arranged for teachers as well as students, if needed, before reopening the schools,” said a teacher.

‘Visit houses of students who lost parents to Covid’

The District Education Officer (DEO), meanwhile, wrote to cluster heads of government schools to visit the houses of students, who have lost their parents to Covid-19. “The cluster heads and teachers concerned are hereby directed to personally visit the houses of students, who have lost their parents to the pandemic. The report must reach the DEO office by May 29 along with the prescribed pro forma and death certificates,” stated a circular.

Join Whatsapp Channel of The Tribune for latest updates.