No decision on opening schools: Punjab education minister

Parvesh Sharma 

Tribune News Service

Sangrur, October 12

Punjab School Education Minister Vijay Inder Singla on Monday said that the state government has not taken any decision on opening schools in the state.

He said the safety of students was of utmost importance.

“We have informed Additional Chief Secretary, Home Affairs, about the standard operating procedures (SOPs), which could be considered in case of the opening of the schools in the state. It includes school could begin with only students from classes 9 to 12 for three hours a day,” said minister.

Singla was here to preside over a function of Homi Bhaba Cancer hospital at Sangrur. He also inaugurated breast cancer awareness programme.

October month is observed as the Breast Cancer Awareness Month across the globe to promote awareness about early detection of breast cancer, education about prevention and various treatment options available. HBCH Sangrur has also been running an EDP (Early Detection Programme) since 2019 and has covered 37 rural areas and 17 urban areas.

“More than 90 per cent patients have been getting free treatment at HBCH Sangrur as cashless treatment of up to Rs 5 lakh under the Sarbat Sehat Bima Yojana. I and my government are committed to provide better healthcare services to the people of the region and Satellite Centre of PGI at Ghabdan and Unit of Tata Memorial Centre, both are the perfect examples of this commitment,” said Singla.

Specialists at HBCH said the incidence of breast cancer in the world is 46.3 per lakh population and in India it’s around 24.7 per lakh population. In Punjab, it’s 20.6 per lakh population, while it’s 16.7 per lakh in Sangrur district.