KOCHI: With the schools set for reopening on June 1, marking the beginning of the new academic year, Ernakulam district administration has made elaborate arrangements.
A detailed guideline has been issued by the education department regarding the cleanliness, sanitisation, safety, vaccination, Covid protocols, infrastructure and Praveshanotsavam. The district collector will convene a meeting on Friday evening to evaluate the arrangements and the meeting will be attended by the officials of various departments. The representatives of CBSE and ICSE school managements will also be attending the meeting as they also have to follow the guidelines issued by the education department.
Ernakulam deputy director of education Honey Alexander said the department is monitoring the arrangements taken by each school with the help of separate squads. The officials of respective civic bodies will also be checking the infrastructure and pre-monsoon cleaning in the schools that come under their jurisdiction. There are 993 schools in Ernakulam and 130 higher secondary schools.
She said district-level Praveshanotsavam will be held at GHSS Kalamasserry and that all schools will host similar welcoming programmes. “Textbook distribution is fast-progressing and 75% has been completed. School uniform distribution also is in the final stage. The free handloom uniforms from Hantex for lower primary students in aided and government schools need to be given to 52 schools more. Covid protocols must be followed in all schools which will be monitored by the health department. All schools have applied for fitness certificates, and they will be given by the civic bodies,” said Alexander
According to the guidelines, the walls and school buildings can be repainted if possible to welcome the students. Thorough inspection should be done to ensure that snakes and other reptiles are not present on school premises. Water tanks and wells must be cleaned and disinfected, and water samples should be sent for chemical analysis. Staff council and PTA meetings must be held ahead of the reopening.
The managements have been told to seek the help of the police to ensure smooth traffic near schools on the reopening day. All school buses must have a fitness certificates and drivers and other staff in school buses must have police clearance certificates.
