J’khand Schools Told To Suspend Morning Assembly, Sports Amid COVID-19 Surge

Mumbai: The Jharkhand School Education and Literacy Department has asked schools to suspend morning assembly, cultural programmes and sports activities amid rising COVID-19 cases in some states.

The Department of School Education and Literacy has issued a new COVID-19 guideline for schools in Jharkhand in light of rising COVID-19 cases in some states.

As per the new guideline, schools have been asked to conduct regular health check-ups in coordination with the nearest health centres and district administrations have been directed to ensure random COVID-19 testing of students and teachers. Morning meetings, cultural programs and sports activities in schools will remain suspended, an official release said.

Rajesh Kumar Sharma, Secretary, Department of School Education and Literacy, has written to all Deputy Commissioners, District Education Officers and District Education Superintendents asking them to follow the COVID-19 guidelines to prevent the spread of the disease.

Expressing concern, the secretary said, “An increase in the infection rate of Covid-19 is being seen in many states of the country for the past 15 days, which is worrying. At such a time, it is imperative to ensure all necessary initiatives at the priority level to prevent the infection of COVID-19 in the state-run schools.”

Schools have been asked to sanitize the school premises, classrooms, laboratories, library and others with 1 per cent sodium hypochlorite solution before the commencement of academic activities and to thoroughly sanitize the institution every 15 days.

The protocol of masks and social distancing will have to be followed. A double dose of the Covid vaccine should be ensured for all teaching and non-teaching staff. In coordination with the Health Department, arrangements should be ensured for the vaccination of students between 12 and 18 years of age.

According to the Health Department bulletin released on April 23, there are a total of 21 active COVID-19 cases in Jharkhand.

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