Schools to open on Mar 2 in Kashmir

Srinagar: Schools in Kashmir valley that have been shut due to security situation and the pandemic will reopen after about three years on March 2, officials said.
Since the Covid-19 cases declined in Jammu and Kashmir, the Union Territory Government has decided to reopen the schools after about three years.
“The students have been directed to follow the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) guidelines provided by the authorities as soon as they leave home for school”, said the Director Health Services Dr Mushtaq Ahmad Rather.
He said this on the sidelines of Pulse Polio programme that was kick started at Jawahar Lal Nehru Memorial Hospital for children under five, at Rainwari in Srinagar on Sunday.
He said the Health Department and School Education in meetings have framed SOPs which would be followed by the school administration and students.
Social distance in the class rooms and wearing a face mask would be necessary for all students, besides hand hygiene. We are working together with school administration, directorate of School and College and district administration, he added.
Director Health Services said that the Vaccine certificate of those students who are coming in the age group of 15-years would be checked at the entrance of every educational institution. The students would also undergo Thermal screening to check their well being.
Those who would be found unsound will be sent back to their homes, he added.
A random testing facility for the students would also be put available in all schools and educational institutions. he said.
Many schools have been given a facelift to classrooms and make seating arrangements according to the directions provided in SOPs in Kashmir valley.
Schools in Kashmir, shut for more than 31 months because of the security situation and the pandemic.
Immediately after the repeal of Jammu and Kashmir’s special status in 2019, the schools were shut citing security situation. They were again closed after the Covid outbreak.
While colleges and universities partially resumed classes last year, schools were not allowed to open due to the second wave of Covid-19.
UNI