Reopening of govt schools in Jajpur, Bhadrak dists postponed to next wk | Bhubaneswar News
Bhubaneswar: In wake of a diarrhoea and cholera outbreak in Jajpur and Bhadrak, govt-run schools in the the two districts will reopen next week, instead of the scheduled date of June 20 after summer vacation. While schools in Bhadrak will reopen on June 23, the ones in Jajpur will resume classes from June 25. Considering the diarrhoea and cholera outbreak, school and mass education minister Nityananda Gond said the collectors have been authorised to decide on the reopening of schools in the three diarrhoea-affected districts of Jajpur, Bhadrak and Cuttack. “The state govt is very concerned about the diarrhoea outbreak and officers are monitoring the situation closely in the vulnerable districts before resuming school activities,” Gond said.Elsewhere in the state, all schools and anganwadi centres will reopen on June 20. Schools in twin cities, however, will reopen on June 21 as they will remain shut on June 20 owing to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s roadshow in Bhubaneswar and Cuttack. The school and mass education department issued guidelines to all district collectors on steps to be taken by school authorities in premises and in hostels before reopening. The directive, issued by school and mass education secretary Shalini Pandit, outlined a series of urgent measures aimed at safeguarding students from water and vector-borne diseases.“In view of the ongoing monsoon season, it is essential to take proactive steps to safeguard the well-being of students from water and vector-borne diseases across all districts. It is therefore requested to ensure that all schools and hostels under your jurisdiction are kept in complete readiness for the safe accommodation of students and the smooth functioning of academic activities,” Pandit wrote in the letter.The department has asked officials to ensure that all school and hostel premises, including classrooms, common areas, office rooms, libraries, toilets, kitchens, and storerooms, are properly cleaned and sanitized. Particular emphasis has been placed on the cleaning and disinfection of water tanks, containers, drainage systems, and approach roads. The govt has also instructed that safe drinking water be made available in all schools and hostels.The govt guidelines stated that adequate supplies of good quality rice and other food items must be stored hygienically. School authorities have been told to ensure that all undergrowth, weeds, dried tree branches, and construction debris are safely removed. This is especially important to prevent mosquito breeding in waterlogged areas during the rainy season, the letter added.
