Covid fear hits Bhubaneswar schools' attendance

BHUBANESWAR: Attendance in city schools has started to drop following the detection of Covid-19 cases in several educational institutions across the state last week.
Parents said they are wary of sending their children to schools in view of spurt in cases. "Children's health is our top priority. As vaccination for children is not available yet, we are really unsure about sending them to school.It is important for the school authorities to ensure that they follow Covid guidelines strictly," said Prachi Bala Biswal, a parent.
The government has allowed physical classes for students of VI to XII in the state. The attendance of students in higher classes has been better than junior classes. Moreover, better attendance has been observed in government-run schools compared to private schools in the city.
"Though teachers are trying their best to ensure that kids follow Covid guidelines when they are in classrooms, the children are not following rules when they move out of their vigil. I have seen children gathered in front of school gates and at the roadside stalls for eating snacks. In such a situation I cannot allow my child to go to school," said Ramesh Mohanty, a parent.
The attendance of students was around 30% in private schools but in the last few days it has dropped further. "As online classes are going on and it is not mandatory to attend offline classes, children prefer virtual study. The attendance has become thinner in the last few days," said a teacher in a private school in the city.
Doctors have suggested well-ventilated classrooms, physical distancing, mandatory masks, vaccinated teachers and staff, and adherence to hygiene protocols at schools.
"As a parent it is natural to get afraid. But if we study the cases detected in the last few weeks, we notice that they were from institutes where there are hostels and there must be a clear violation of Covid guidelines. So far, no case of the new variant has reached the country. And the cases being detected are asymptomatic and mild, so parents need not worry," said Dr Niraj Mishra, a senior physician.
He said instead of stopping children from attending physical classes, parents must give importance to following Covid norms. "Parents are taking children to wedding functions and other gatherings but are getting afraid to send them to schools. If they stress on Covid appropriate behaviour, we may avert the rise in cases," said Dr Mishra.