Tackling coronavirus threat
School children are the most vulnerable segments of our society when it comes to the spread of contagious diseases like flu or even the coronavirus that is presently proving a challenge for the people across the globe.
The government here issued a circular the other day asking school authorities to follow some guidelines, which include some do’s and do not’s for the children. Similarly, the Private Schools Association of Jammu and Kashmir, following the government’s steps argued on the same lines and issued all necessary precautions and preventive measures in the wake of coronavirus epidemic. Though Kashmir has escaped the spread of the virus so far, but nobody can assure that it will not stage its presence here.
The measures that have been mandated are restricting morning assemblies to bare minimum time or simply cancel it for the time being, deferring all unnecessary examinations and directing school authorities to remain in touch with local hospital or a doctor to know the preventive measures and contact them immediately in case a need arises.
Since we all know that coronavirus has remained elusive for the treatments that have otherwise been suggested for various other viruses. However, the medicos world over have been asking for preventive measures rather than seeking remedies, which do not exist as of now.
Kashmir as we all know witnessed closure of schools for almost seven months. And opening of schools was a major achievement for the government. The opening of schools was also promoted as a sign of normalcy in Kashmir.
The government given the present scenario got the schools opened up before the scheduled date and no consideration was given to the fact that the temperature in the Kashmir zone was not conducive to allow the functioning of schools.
However, with the coronavirus threat looming large, the government and all other stake holders in the education sector need to take a call over the well being of the student’s community.
Cancelling morning assemblies makes no sense as the students are crammed for the rest of the day in classrooms which in most of the cases happen to be closed chambers these days owing to the fact that winter conditions are still prevalent in Kashmir.
In such a scenario we are putting the students to risk as they are vulnerable to the spread of any contagious disease including coronavirus. It makes no sense that the government and the school associations are claiming to aware the students about the spread of any deadly disease.
One fails to understand that how can a three or a four year old kid be made aware about not getting close to a person who sneezes or coughs. How can they be made aware of maintaining a distance of one meter from a person who seems infected by some contagious disease?
These are the questions that the administrators and the school authorities should answer. One cannot escape the responsibility of ensuring the welfare and well being of the students. The government needs to wake up and follow the Delhi government’s footsteps which has closed down all primary school till 31st of March.
KV Network
