#COVID-19 90% teaching staff jabbed, govt mulls to reopen education institutions
Jammu: With nearly 90% of the teachers having been vaccinated against COVID19 with double doses, Jammu and Kashmir administration has pulled up its socks to reopen educational institutions across the Union Territory.
If sources are to be believed, the J&K government is mulling to reopen higher educational institutions such as colleges and universities in the first phase, even as the possibility of some Senior Secondary Schools being reopened is not ruled not.
An official source told, “The officials of Education Department and Health Department are seeking the data of the students above the age of 18, as well as teaching who have been vaccinated across J&K, with either single or double doses.”
This development comes a day after J&K administration stressed for reopening of educational institutions where students as well the staff has been vaccinated with two doses. Even though, more pointed instructions in this regard are yet to come.
The official order issued on previous day by State Executive Committee, Department of Disaster Management, Relief, Rehabilitation & Reconstruction, Government of Jammu and Kashmir, stated that restrictions on opening of educational institutions across the UT would continue, but said that the government shall consider phased reopening if and where 100% vaccination is achieved.
It read, “All schools and higher educational institutions, including coaching centers, shall continue to remain closed for onsite/in-person teaching till further orders. However, the educational institutions are permitted to seek personal attendance of vaccinated staff for administrative purposes. The Government shall consider phased reopening of institutions where 100% vaccination of staff and students has been achieved.”
The official source further said, “We are currently gathering and analyzing the data of students above the age of 18 who have been vaccinated with single or double doses. It is expected to be compiled comprehensively in a few days from now, and in the first go, colleges and universities might be reopened.”
Some Senior Secondary Schools can also be reopened, he added.
Speaking to this scribe, Dr Ravi Shankar Sharma, Director, School Education Jammu said, “About 90% of teaching staff, including Masters, Lecturers, Teachers, etc have been vaccinated with both doses of Covishield/Covaxin in a bid to ensure protection against COVID19. We’ll soon cover the remaining staff.”
He confirmed that data is being collected, and that the compilation will take a few more days.
It may be mentioned that neighboring state Punjab has reopened colleges, higher secondary schools from the past month, that is, July.
