Flu: 71 schools closed till Nov 21

JAIPUR: The district administration on Sunday directed 71 educational institutions to extend their closure by another seven days as a preventive measure against spread of swine flu. The list includes 63 schools and seven colleges in the state capital.
Over 300 students have been tested positive for H1N1 virus in the past two weeks. All the schools which have been asked to remain closed for another week have confirmed positive cases.
“We have decided to keep these schools closed till November 21,” district collector Kuldeep Ranka said. However, it came as a disappointment for some who had already announced reopening from Monday. K B Kain, principal, DPS said: “I wish that the government would have told us a day in advance. This sudden decision will cause inconvenience to students, teachers and parents alike.” More than 50 students from neighbouring states and cities have arrived in the school hostel in order to attend classes from Monday, he said.
Meanwhile, many schools plan to take up the issue with the government. A principal with only one positive student in his school said: “The child has now recovered and hence all should be allowed to attend school. How long can the schools remain closed?’’ The order has given rise to a debate whether closing down schools is a permanent solution to the issue or not. Some schools have described the decision to close down as ‘uncalled for’ which would help only to spread panic among the students.