Sarkaghat schools to stay shut for students till February 7

Bhanu P Lohumi

Tribune News Service

Shimla, January 31

The summer-closing schools will remain closed for students in Sarkaghat in Mandi district till February 7. The decision was taken by the Education Department today after 41 teachers tested positive for Covid last night in the town.

A large number of teachers had been deployed on election duty during the urban local bodies and panchayat elections held recently. According to sources the teachers might have been infected there. Samples of as many as 178 teachers had been taken in Sarkaghat out of which 41 tested positive. A majority of the infected teachers were asymptomatic.

The government had decided to recall all teachers of summer-closing schools from January 27 and resume regular classroom teaching for students of Class V and Class VIII to XII, but a sudden spurt in Covid-19 cases in Sarkaghat hasadversely affected this plan.

Deputy directors of higher education have been directed to send information in case Covid cases are reported among students and teachers, said Director, Higher Education, Amarjeet Sharma, adding that a notification had been issued in this regard. Teachers, however, would attend schools as usual.

 Classes will start in other schools in strict adherence to Covid guidelines. However, teachers with symptoms like fever, dry cough, flu and cold are exempted from attending the schools.

All classrooms will be sanitised and other precautions like social distancing and wearing of masks will be followed strictly. Schools have already submitted their micro plans to the department.

The online classes will continue and the winter-closing schools will open from February 15. No decision has been taken regarding resuming regular teaching in elementary schools.