Open colleges with care; shun complacency, don’t lower guard

Inoculate students before reopening campuses as the pandemic has already affected the quality of education 

It’s better to wait

The UT Administration has decided to reopen colleges when Delta plus variant of coronavirus has been detected in Chandigarh. To our dismay, third wave of Covid is knocking at our doors. The old adage prevention is better than cure holds good for this situation. Still many beneficiaries are yet to be vaccinated. People least bothered about taking precautions. They wear face mask as per their own will. All will agree that it’s never easy to control students. Human life is precious. So, better to wait and defer opening of colleges in Chandigarh. Colleges should open for only those, who received both doses of vaccine.

NPS Sohal, Chandigarh

Take experts’ opinion

To prevent the impending third Covid wave, the UT Administration must not open colleges. Colleges should open after three months and that too after taking experts opinion on the prevalent situation. We cannot put lives of students at risk as many have already lost near and dear ones to the virus.

Palak, Chandigarh

Eliminate fear of third wave

Let the fear of third Covid wave be eliminated completely before opening colleges in Chandigarh. Now, students and teachers are comfortable with virtual teaching platforms. Let’s not risk life of youths. We have take more precautious and follow Covid protocol to prevent the third coronavirus wave.

Vineet Gandhi, Chandigarh

How many variants will emerge?

There is fear of ongoing epidemic in society. How many variants of virus are going to come only Almighty knows? Leaders are taking political mileage of the pandemic. The Administration must start opening up educational institutions with precautions. The authorities concerned must shed fear and open colleges in Chandigarh.

Capt Amar Jeet (retd), Mohali

Students aware of protocol

The Administration must first vaccinate every student with both doses and gauge its impact. Students in the 18 plus category are aware of Covid appropriate behaviour and protocol. So, the authorities must consider reopening colleges in Chandigarh for now.

Amanpreet Kaur Dhot, Chandigarh

Admn has taken logical decision

UT Administration till date has taken logical decision and positive steps to fight the Covid-19 pandemic. Students are future of the nation. At this time if colleges reopen, their conduct must be such that they don’t risk their and others lives by following Covid appropriate behaviour and accepting the new normal. Like responsible citizens they must get themselves vaccinated.

Garv bhupesh, Panchkula

Open colleges with operating procedures

Already cinemas, hotels and other public places have opened for the public at large. Students have suffered academically as well as professionally. Students are foundation the of country and must not be ignored. They are already bearing mental and physical stress due to the ongoing pandemic. It’s right time to open colleges and other educational institutions in Chandigarh, but with a rider to follow preventive guidelines issued to fight Covid-19 epidemic.

Col TBS Bedi (retd), Mohali

Vaccinate students on a priority basis

As danger of the third Covid -19 wave is lurking large on every one’s mind, it will certainly be risky for students to attend classes where rubbing of shoulders with each other is inevitable. In such a situation infection will easily pass on to the nearest contact. But, opening of colleges cannot be delayed further keeping in view students future. So, the UT Administration must give atleast one vaccine dose to all students before opening colleges. This will give students and their parents some mental satisfaction of having some immunity against coronavirus.

SC Luthra, Chandigarh

No substitute for classroom teaching

It’s time to open colleges as positivity rate, CFR and number of active cases have declined in Chandigarh. Though there is likelihood of third wave in coming months, online teaching is no substitute to classroom teaching especially for science subjects. Most activities have already started. Colleges can open initially for science students and gradually for everyone. However, managements of respective colleges must ensure that Covid appropriate behaviour is strictly followed by students and teaching faculty. Besides, classrooms and laboratories must be properly sanitised.

Dr Dinesh Kumar Verma, Panchkula

Wait till July-end

Keeping in view threat of third Covid-19 pandemic wave the UT Administration must wait till July end for opening colleges. The Health Department must achieve the target of vaccinating 75 per cent population till the end of this month. Only then colleges should open in Chandigarh.

AK Jindal, Patiala

Jab a necessity for staff, students

The fear of the third Covid-19 wave is looming large. The UT Administration must wait for opening colleges till all students, teachers and staff gets at least first jab of Covid vaccine. Students must get themselves vaccinated at the earliest. The Administration should reopen colleges with those staff members and students, who are already vaccinated.

Bir Devinder Singh Bedi, Chandigarh

Move fraught with implications

Although Covid cases are declining, the UT Administration should be in no hurry to reopen colleges as the move is fraught with several implications for students, parents and society. Going by the experience of the past year-and-a-half, the impact of the third wave could be disastrous. Hence, it is much better to wait for a while to see how the coronavirus pandemic pans out before taking a decision on reopening higher educational institutions. Meanwhile, managements of colleges must start vaccination drives for their students. This way, colleges can reopen safely in near future.

Akash Kumar, Chandigarh

No substitute for physical classes

Although the fear of the impending third pandemic wave looms large, yet it’s high time that colleges reopen as they have remain closed for long enough. There can be no substitute for the education imparted through physical classes. Students, who still fear attending physical classes, can be given an option of online mode. Both, teachers and students, must be jabbed with at least one dose of the vaccine before attending physical classes. One-jab rule must also be enforced on outstation students. The Administration can set up vaccination centres in colleges.

Simran Sidhu, Chandigarh

Vaccination a must

As Covid has become a part of our lives, it’s necessary to get vaccinated to develop immunity against coronavirus. Even colleges are emphasising that students must get themselves vaccinated. But, second dose of vaccine is not available. As the third Covid wave is going to hit country, it’s not the right time to open higher education institutions in Chandigarh.

Abhilasha Gupta, Mohali

Don’t ignore students’ education, future

Children are the future of the nation. They cannot get proper education through online mode in the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. The Administration should reopen colleges in Chandigarh as students’ education and future cannot be ignored. Managements should ensure all safety precautions before opening colleges. Gatherings should be banned in colleges. Students must follow Covid appropriate behaviour in colleges.

Sumesh Kumar Badhwar, Mohali

Listen to experts

According to experts the third Covid wave began on July 4. Opening of colleges can prove disastrous as infection could spread faster among students. Even if colleges take all precautions, but how will their managements deal with gatherings outside educational institutions? Experts are warning about younger generation likely to get infected during the third coronavirus wave. This may ultimately spread infection among their families too. The political leadership must listen to experts and not risk lives of the next generation.

Suresh Verma, Chandigarh

Hold classes in phased manner

The government has issued warning of impending third Covid wave. R factor is rising fast. In view of the above colleges should open only for students, who have got themselves’ vaccinated. Also, students can study online and can be called to attend classes in a phased manner to clear doubts and for practical. Reopening colleges means opening hostels, libraries, canteens and other services. Hence, colleges should reopen in a staggered way.

Paramjeet Singh, Chandigarh

Physical classes not mandatory

The Covid graph is on the decline these days. So, colleges in Chandigarh are expected to resume physical classes for students with preventive measures. The college staff and students must get at least one dose of the vaccination. Initially, attending physical classes must not be mandatory. Preference must be given to online classes. No doubt, the third Covid wave is likely to affect children so the government is emphasising on taking safety measures. Maintaining physical distance in classroom, use of face masks, sanitisers and washing hands must be compulsory for students.

Anita Tandon, Kharar

Admn must give second thought

The UT Administration should wait for some time more before taking any decision regarding opening colleges. Also, opening colleges and continuing online teaching is not justified. Most parents are aware of the WHO warning that third Covid wave will affect mostly children. So, the Administration must give a second thought before reopening colleges in Chandigarh.

Savita Kuthiala, Chandigarh

Education standards will plummet

Colleges should open without any further delay. Students will be more disciplined in colleges as authorities can enforce Covid norms. Youngsters roam in malls and go to hotels. They are at risk of contracting infection. Already their education has received a setback. If colleges don’t reopen their education standards will plummet further.

Bubby Soin, Chandigarh

Wait for two months

It’s good that coronavirus cases have declined in the UT. Opening colleges is not advisable because the pandemic has not subsided. Let the Administration wait for two more months for opening colleges in Chandigarh. Parents must be sure that their wards are safe in colleges. Only then the Administration can open colleges.

MR Bhateja, Nayagaon

Many students yet to be vaccinated

Covid cases are declining in Chandigarh. According to new research 96 per cent of Covid cases in the city have tested positive for the delta variant. Therefore, the Administration should reconsider its decision of reopening colleges and schools in the UT. Moreover, not all people in Chandigarh are vaccinated. This means a large number of college-going students are also not vaccinated against Covid and are at the risk of contracting virus.

Priyam Aggarwal, Chandigarh

Don’t linger on the decision

When the Centre and state governments are opening various economic activities then why linger on the decision to open colleges? It’s been almost over 16 months since colleges closed. This is jeopardising students’ career. Online education platforms can’t be total replacement for classroom teaching. Many students particularly those residing in the remote areas can’t afford high speed Internet services. So, they couldn’t attend online classes. With the present standards of online teaching complete students’ satisfaction is ruled out. Colleges must reopen with staggered classes and less students per classroom. Periodical sanitisation of infrastructure, wearing of face masks and social distancing norm should be compulsory in colleges. Managements of colleges should be accountable for ensuring safety of students. Students must follow all Covid-related guidelines as responsible citizens.

Sanjay Chopra, Mohali

Physical classes play a major role

There various ways in which city colleges can function even after the onset of the third Covid wave Students, who have received first or both doses of vaccine can be allowed to attend physical classes. Colleges can be run in shifts or with 50 per cent students’ capacity to reduce the chances of spreading infection. Physical classes play major role in the life of students. Already one-and-a-half-year of education has been lost since colleges closed. Colleges should reopen in a staggered manner. Vaccination of the teaching and non-teaching staff of colleges must be ensured.

Wg Cdr Jasbir Singh Minhas (retd), Mohali

Prevention is better than cure

The Chandigarh Administration should not open colleges keeping in view the upcoming third Covid wave. Delta and delta plus virus mutant cases have reported in the country, which indicates impending dangers. If citizens don’t follow restrictions religiously, then third wave might be more deadly than the second one. It is important to abide by the proverb “Prevention is better than cure”. Till the situation becomes better, lockdown should not be lifted.

Adish Sood, Amloh

Consider teachers’ point of view

As there is sharp decline in Covid cases the UT Administration should reopen college without wasting time. The Administration should ensure that all students and staff of respective colleges has been vaccinated. The Health Department should hold special vaccination camp for students and teaching and non-teaching staff of colleges. Students can’t be deprived of education. When other all economic activities are allowed then why can’t colleges reopen. Most teachers are not in favour conducting both online and offline classes. The Administration should also consider their views before going ahead with its decision of reopening colleges.

Vidya Sagar Garg, Panchkula

Loss of studies

The UT Administration should not wait to open colleges because students’ education is suffering with each passing day. This is not right for students’ future. Taking the third Covid wave into account, the UT Administration should open colleges with precautions. Entry in colleges without face mask should be banned. Students should sit at a distance of three feet from each other in classroom. It’s necessary for all students and the teaching and non-teaching staff of colleges to be fully vaccinated.

Antara Rakheja, Chandigarh