‘Back to school’ campaign to be held during October 18-23 in Ernakulam

KOCHI:

School advisory committee

meeting held on Sunday decided to hold district level cleaning campaigns in schools in view of the reopening of these institutions next month. The ‘Back to School’ campaign will be held between October 18 and 23.


All the arrangements should be made in schools by the end of the campaign. The fitness of the school buildings and vehicles should be ensured by October 25. School safety audit should be completed before October 30. This will be conducted by the educational officers with the support of the local bodies.


Awareness campaigns and counselling will also be imparted to parents and students between October 25 and 31 regarding

Covid

protocols and bio bubbles to be followed. “The guidelines issued by the government have directed the constitution of health-monitoring committees in schools. These committees, with the help of health and social justice departments, will give counselling to the students and parents. School rapid response teams will be formed,” said an official.


The meeting also discussed general guidelines issued by the government regarding the opening of schools. Motor vehicles department will hold an awareness class regarding Covid protocols before October 31 for schoolbus drivers, cleaners and drivers of other vehicles engaged in transporting students to schools.


The cleaning campaign will be held with the support of all agencies available in the respective local body or at ward level.

District collector

will convene a meeting of all local body heads, secretaries and officials from various departments on Monday evening to discuss implementing the

back to school campaign

.


A people’s support committee will also be formed for maintenance works of school buses belonging to government schools.


The school advisory committee was formed to address the school safety issues with the district collector as its chairman and deputy director of education its convener.


Meanwhile, a mental health programme in

Ernakulam

plans to give awareness to teachers on psycho-social issues of students when schools reopen. “The awareness will be conducted after assessing the situation once the schools reopen. We will give awareness to teachers on how to cope with students, who have been attending online classes for one-and-half years, mobile addiction of students and Covid fear,” said Soumya Raj, mental health programme officer.

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