Visakhapatnam: Demand for school holidays grows louder

Visakhapatnam: As coronavirus suspect cases continue to grow bigger with each passing day, parents are a worried lot to send their wards to schools amid the virus threat.

Despite the examination season for some, several parents are concerned about their children visiting educational institutions even for half-a-day.

The scenario in government schools is even worse as the recently-started awareness drive on preventive measures considered to keep the virus at bay is only confined to a list of 'dos and don'ts.' "We explain the children to keep their hands clean by washing them at regular intervals along with other preventive measures like staying away from those who cough and sneeze, avoid frequenting crowded places, among other steps. However, the soaps or sanitisers or masks are not provided to the children in schools," said a headmaster of a government school who doesn't want to be named.

Similar situation is witnessed in some private schools as well. But the health-conscious parents arm their children with masks and sanitisers before dropping them to their schools.

In some private schools, efforts are being made to make the students wash their hands every two hours and also before and after having their lunch. Though sanitisers are being provided in a few corporate schools, distribution of masks to the students appears to be a far cry. "After reading about coronavirus in reports, we could not send our daughter to school without a mask and a sanitiser. It has become a habit for her now to carry them," said G Hima Bindhu, a parent.

Like the neighbouring State Telangana, many parents hope that the educational institutions remain shut till the month-end or until the situation improves.

A few moms share that they are not keen on sending their wards to schools for a while. "It is difficult to guard our son V Bhaskar to stay away from those who are coughing or sneezing. With the Covid-19 threat gripping all of us, we are seriously concerned about leaving him for hours in a class of 35 students and hence making him stay at home for the past few days," shared V Vijaya, a mother whose ward is studying in a government school at Pendurthi.

When asked about any plans for the closure of schools, District Education Officer B Lingeswara Reddy said, "As of now, schools will continue to run half-a-day till April 23. There is no instruction from the department for the closure of the school and Board exams will continue as per the schedule."