Online studies back! Schools, colleges closed again

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, January 4

In view of increasing cases of Covid-19, Deputy Commissioner Gurpreet Khaira issued special orders imposing new restrictions in line with the Punjab Government guidelines.

While masks have been made mandatory to wear in public places and work places, all schools, colleges, universities, coaching institutes etc. have also been directed to remain closed while online education will continue till January 15.

The announcement comes a day after the vaccination campaign for children aged between 15 and 18 years started off. The district Education Department had approached the Civil Surgeon to host vaccination camps at the school premises to ensure maximum vaccination for students, but the closure of schools and educational institutions has now posed a challenge to convince parents to get their wards vaccinated.

“Students had come to school on Tuesday as they were reopened after the winter break, but just as we received the orders, we sent them back. We had charted out a plan to engage primary and secondary schools to host vaccination camps to get their students vaccinated, but now with kids sitting at home, ensuring vaccination would be tough,” said Parminder Singh, district media coordinator, District Education Office.

The district Education Department will be dispersing information on vaccination and its importance through social media and engaging teachers, who are double-vaccinated, to talk to parents, encouraging them to get their wards vaccinated.

“Long term closure of schools will not be good for academics again, as the academic session was almost over and examination months are approaching. We will make all efforts to ensure health safety of children, keeping in mind the studies don’t get hit,” said Parminder.

Meanwhile, school heads and principals, too, feel that any lockdown-like situation will hit the academics hard, just when regular schooling was coming back on track. “Students had begun schools with a positive mindset, after the disruption last year. They were looking forward to regular offline classes. The closure will once again bring back uncertainty regarding academics,” said Anita Mehra, principal, DAV Public School, Lawrence Road. Private schools, too, are planning to collaborate with Civil Surgeon’s office to hold vaccination camps for children in coming days.

As far as colleges are concerned, studies have already been suspended since December 2021 due to teachers’ strike and examinations have already been delayed. Most colleges in the city are currently on winter break.

According to new directions issued, all bars, cinemas, multiplexes, spas, museums, malls, restaurants will be allowed to open at 50 per cent capacity only if all staff are fully vaccinated. Sports complexes, stadiums, swimming pools and gyms will also be closed for all but players preparing for national and international sports competitions. There will also be restrictions on spectators. Such buses will be able to run at 50 per cent capacity only. Fully vaccinated staff will be allowed to visit government and private offices, industries, workplaces. More than 500 persons are allowed for indoor and more than 700 persons allowed for outdoor.