Health dept to screen students within 3 days of school reopening

Madurai: Schools in Madurai have geared up for the reopening for classes IX to XII on Wednesday after ensuring that all Covid-19 SOPs are in place. The district health department will screen students and provide a general check-up on their return to schools.

Madurai district chief educational officer (CEO) R Swaminathan instructed schools to strictly follow all the Covid-19 safety measures. Apart from Covid-19 safety SOPs such as wearing masks, maintaining social distance and sanitization of school campuses and classrooms etc., the district health department is also set to screen students. “We will be completing health screening for students within three days once schools are reopened. We will check them for Covid-19 symptoms and also give them a general health check-up. We will work with the education department officials and ensure health screening at all government and aided schools in the district,” said Dr S Senthil Kumar, deputy director of health services. The official also added that Covid-19 vaccination will have to be ensured for all school staff.

Madurai Corporation commissioner K P Karthikeyan on Tuesday inspected corporation schools in Madurai city, including Elango Corporation School and Kakkai Padiniyar Corporation School. Under Madurai Corporation, 24 high and higher secondary schools are functioning with a strength of around 8,000 students and 819 teachers.

It was also highlighted that under ‘Happy Schooling 2.0’ initiative, corporation school students can seek guidance in case of any mental health issues through the school or by contacting the helpline no. 9375493754.

Doctors have assured that though precautions must be exercised, parents need not panic over sending their children to school. “ There is no additional risk factor for children compared to an adult,” said Dr S Senthilkumar, paediatric ICU, Meenakshi Mission Hospital and Research Centre.