‘Vax, awareness key to reopening of schools’
MUMBAI: Vaccination of teachers and staff, staggering of school hours, offline-online model and awareness among students, parents and teachers about Covid-19 appropriate behaviour are some of the steps recommended by the state-appointed paediatric task force before reopening schools.
During a presentation in the virtual Majha Doctor (My Doctor) conference of family doctors convened by the state government on Sunday, Dr Suhas Prabhu, head of the paediatric task force, said reopening schools was crucial for children psychologically. He, however, said the third wave may hit more children than the earlier two waves.
“In many parts of the United States, schools were forced to shut again after the fresh wave of the pandemic. Children account for 30-35% of our population. At least 10-12% of the children population was affected during the first and second wave. Parents of children are worried about sending them to school. They are apprehensive about the kids getting infected and in turn giving it to them, but at the same time the schools need to be reopened,” he said.
Dr Prabhu said schools need to stagger their timings either by switching to shifts, alternate-day attendance or by adopting a mix of online and offline schooling. “Arrangements in classrooms should be such that safe distance is maintained between students. Classrooms should be adequately ventilated by installing more fans and air-conditioners should strictly be avoided. Classrooms as well as washrooms should be periodically sanitised and cleaned. School premises need to be sanitised periodically, while strict checks at the entrance are a must,” he said.
The task force head said a meeting between them should be arranged between parents and teachers for proper awareness, before opening schools and after a few weeks. “Parents and teachers should be sensitised over the spread of the virus, use of mask and sanitisers. Parents should be strictly sensitised about symptoms and be told to not send their ward to school in case the child develops the symptoms. Schools will have to make arrangements for masks for students in case they forget or spoil one,” he said.
Dr Prabhu also batted for health clinics equipped with thermometer, pulse oximeter and manned with trained staff for timely decision of isolation of students with symptoms. “Students must be discouraged from sharing tiffin and crowding during lunch time. Sports like kho-kho and kabaddi, where close contact is needed, should be banned. Teachers should be trained to identify early symptoms among students, tell students about sanitisation, use of mask and avoiding crowding. They should also be able to handle students taking their psychology into account. Students who have lost their dear ones to the pandemic or those who have been infected need to be handled with more care,” he said. He has also recommended that students be encouraged to walk to schools to avoid crowding and contact in vehicles.