Not opening schools due to festivals, fear of third wave: Maharashtra health officials

Vaccination for children is expected by the end of September, said a state health official. Representation pic

As experts rally for reopening schools in Maharashtra, state health officials say physical resumption of schooling is being postponed because the festival season coincides with the period the third wave is feared to strike. A senior state health official said the third wave is likely to hit between September and October, which is festival time in Maharashtra.

Reopening of schools will lead to exposure of young and non-vaccinated population to risk of contracting as well as spreading the infection. The decision to resume physical schooling has been deferred till the end of September 2021," said the official. He added that a hasty decision to reopen schools without due preparations may precipitate the third wave.

In the meantime, the government will survey the feasibility of implementing the suggestions of the paediatric task force and assess the recommended infrastructural upgrades in terms of paediatric general wards, ICUs, ventilators and medicines. A state official said the government will also ascertain the completeness of training programs, increase the testing, tracking follow up and ascertain the upgrade of paediatric ambulances.

The state government had planned to reopen schools for students of Std V to Std VIII in rural areas and Std VIII to Std XII in urban areas. However, it deferred the decision on Monday

The representatives of Indian Academy of Paediatrics in the task force said as delta variants have not proven to be much dangerous, schools can be opened, but with several precautions.

Task force's suggestions

Dr Bakul Parekh, paediatrician and member of the task force, said, "Schools can reopen only in districts where the TPR is below 2 per cent. And the entire staff has to be fully vaccinated. School should also be prepared to manage a child showing COVID-19 symptoms while on campus." Mumbai's TPR has been below 1 per cent for the past one month.

Children have not been to school for nearly 17 months, resulting in lack of social contacts. "We now have to concentrate on the social and mental health of a child rather than the academic," said Dr Parekh.

Dr Vijay Yewale, paediatrician and paediatric task force member, guidelines have been framed for safe schooling and submitted to the government. "It will now be the government's decision entirely to reopen schools," he said. He added that whenever schools reopen, emphasis should be given on the fact that safe schooling is a joint responsibility of both parents and school management.

Preparations at school

"There are certain nitty-gritties for resuming physical schooling. To observe physical distance, schools might have changed the system. There can be a combination of online and physical schooling. Schools must have adequate ventilation. Sanitisers must be placed at strategic locations, and provision be made at entrance for taking temperature. School commute has to be looked into. Most importantly, vaccination of school teachers and employees have to be completed," said Dr Yewale.

The state government had planned to reopen schools for students of Std V to Std VIII in rural areas and Std VIII to Std XII in urban areas. However, it deferred the decision on Monday. The senior state health official said they are in the process of communicating with schools about the recommendations of the paediatric task force, but it will take some time.

Meanwhile, vaccination for children in the 12-18 years age group is expected to start by September, the official added. "The initial results of the vaccine trial will be out in September, following which it can be rolled out for children. Vaccine trials are underway for children in three groups - aged 12 to 18, 8 to 12 and 2 to 8."

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No. of months for which schools have been shut