Can’t risk kids’ lives, open schools only after they are vaccinated

OPEN HOUSE: House should children below 18 years of age be allowed to attend physical classes?

As online classes drag on, fatigued students are becoming asocial and the underprivileged children are unable to attend classes properly. Students now want to go to their respective schools for face-to-face interaction. They should be allowed to continue with physical classes with adequate safety protocols, like masking, social distancing and ventilation. The district administration should provide RT-PCR kits to schools to regularly conduct random tests for early diagnosis. The school time should be restricted to three hours a day, with no recess, as that is the time when students flout Covid norms. Free vaccination camps must be frequently organised in schools so that the staff can get vaccinated on priority. It is also important to inoculate children as and when a vaccine is approved.

RS SEMBHI

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Kids more vulnerable

According to my opinion, young children should not be allowed to attend physical classes because they are more vulnerable to the virus than the elder ones. To mitigate the impact of Covid-19 on the school education system, going ahead with blended learning would be ideal for everyone. Essential items, such as mask and sanitiser, should be made available on the campus. The school opening process should be slow and gradual. Senior students should be allowed first, whereas junior students should continue with the online mode as of now.

Manavjot Singh

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Follow protocol strictly

If 20 students have tested positive, that does not mean we should close all institutions. Even children below 18 years should be vaccinated, as being done in developed countries. Till the time we cannot vaccinate those below 18, Covid protocol should be strictly followed and those infected should be isolated and quarantined. Those likely infected should be tested and education should be started normally, but with norms.

Dr HS Jolly

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Not safe yet

After 20 students tested positive for Covid -19, it is not safe for children below 18 years to attend schools physically as they are not yet vaccinated. The government should wait to re-open schools until Covid cases reduce.

Harshita Khullar

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Give them jab first

Till now, a suitable vaccine for children below 18 years has not been declared in the country. So, this age group is more prone to the infection. Therefore, they must be vaccinated before schools are opened. Another component is vaccination of teachers and other staff. For this, a special programme must be started at schools where teachers and other staff members get inoculated on priority so that they do not become a source of infection. Many schools have opened in the city and every day, there are reports that teachers and students are testing positive. Opening of junior schools would increase such instances and that must be avoided at all costs.

Gautam Dev

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Closing schools no solution

The pandemic has prolonged its stay and with this, there has been an increase in Covid cases among students. But to save loss of studies, the schools must be kept open. Different methods can be adopted for maintaining physical distancing, such as deferred classes, odd-even system, conducting classes in open spaces etc. At any cost, schools must not be closed as that is no feasible solution. There is no fixed time for the pandemic to abate and so we need to learn to live with it. Moreover, doctors are of the view that children have more anti-bodies as compared to adults and so teachers and supporting staff in schools must be vaccinated against the disease so that schools can function normally.

Bir Devinder Singh Bedi

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Strengthen online teaching

It is very dangerous for children, who are not eligible for vaccination, to attend physical classes. Actually, the situation is very cumbersome. On the one hand, students want to attend physical classes because online studies are not serving the purpose. But the danger of catching the infection while attending classes is also present. Effective contact-less education is the need of the hour. Many parents are of the opinion that they are paying full fees for the education of their children but are not being properly served. So school authorities must make sound arrangements for online teaching.

Ritu Priya

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Concrete policy needed

It is too early to decide about opening schools for under-18 students. Since this age group cannot get vaccinated yet, the government should formulate a concrete policy before making any announcement. Each teacher must be fully vaccinated. Covid norms must be implemented properly in each school. Consent of parents must be taken and strength of each class should not be more than 10 to 15 students.

Dr Mohd Saleem Farooqui

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Caution still needed

With the reopening of schools, Covid cases have been reported among students. Children should not attend physical classes yet as their immunity is not that strong to tackle the pandemic. Experts say a third wave is likely in the coming months. So, the administration should make a strategy so that Covid norms are followed by one and all. Moreover, the vaccination campaign has not been completed yet so we must tread cautiously.

Adish Sood

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Follow norms, attend school

Children below 18 years of age are not eligible for vaccination so they should not be allowed to attend physical classes. However, there is no harm in going to schools if one follows all norms. Practically speaking, these children go out for shopping, eating and other leisure activities. Hence, going to school is not at all dangerous.

Harleen Kaur Grewal

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Cases can still rise

Students below 18 years are not eligible for vaccination, so they should not be allowed to attend physical classes. The third wave is expected to be dangerous for children. As 20 students from two schools in Ludhiana District tested positive, cases can increase if proper measures are not taken. The government should take decisions carefully for the welfare of students and their better development. Rules must be framed by the authorities for proper care of students.

Manpriya Kaur

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Wait before deciding

Children are more prone to infection and other diseases. The third wave is expected in coming months, so it is not advisable for the government to open schools. Children are not vaccinated and they cannot follow each and every Covid norm. So, the government must wait at least for one or two months before opening schools.

Farzana Khan

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Much time lost already

As Covid has already caused irreparable loss of studies, so in the interest of students, they should be allowed to attend physical classes with full precautions. Students should be thermoscanned before allowing entry into the school, asked to wear masks and advised to maintain physical distance not only in but outside the classrooms too. Sanitisers should be made available in every nook and cranny of the schools. Classes should be held in shifts to avoid crowding. All teachers need not come to schools daily, their duties must be rotated.

Dr Sunil Chopra

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Not right to open schools

As 20 students have already tested positive, the government should order closure of schools. It certainly shows neglect of guidelines. The life of children is most precious. The government should hold seminars, lectures and exhibition regarding Covid appropriate behaviour.

JBS Nanda

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Mental health at stake

Twenty students of two schools in the district got infected, creating panic among children, parents and school managements. Children below 18 years are not vaccinated but still, these children can be sent to schools for physical classes. During the lockdown, these children were not happy at home and their behaviour has become negative. Some have even suffered from depression. When they will go to school, they will feel the warmth of peers and get advice of their teachers, which is better for their future.

Dr Sukhdev Sharma

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Adhere to Covid norms

Students have already suffered a lot amid pandemic but it is time to pay heed to their studies. Though they are not yet eligible for vaccination they should not be stopped from attending physical classes. Proper adherence to Covid-19 protocol in schools and classes can safeguard students. If anyone shows symptoms, they should be asked to isolate themselves. So, this will not obstruct regular studies of children and they can study in a safe and healthy environment.

KAMALDEEP KAUR

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Improve online teaching

Health is wealth, so considering the rise in Covid cases, educational institutions should try to stick to online methods. The educational institutions are actually expected to adapt and bring in the most suitable online teaching methods and techniques. They should be prepared for the worst, keeping in mind the expected third wave of Covid. Educational institution must take a firm decision until the situation gets completely normal.

Vandita Jain

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OPEN HOUSE QUESTION

To de-pollute Buddha Nullah, a seasonal tributary of the Sutlej, its rejuvenation at a cost of Rs840 crore is going on in full swing. Under this project, 200 cusecs of fresh canal water was discharged into the nullah on Sunday. What else needs to be done to free the nullah of pollution? Suggestions in not more than 70 words can be sent to [email protected]