With erratic updates,schools can’t take preventive measures

Authorities in Vivek High School,St John’s School,Carmel Convent School and St Stephen’s School say they are not being regularly informed of fresh cases in their schools. As a result,these schools cannot take any preventive measures.

Last month,several classes were suspended in these schools.

“We don’t know if more students have been infected with swine flu,as the Health department hasn’t sent any communication to us,” H S Mamik,director of the Vivek High School,said. “We now rely on parents to come forward and tell us if their child is unwell.”

Two positive cases from the school were reported on Tuesday. The students,a girl and a boy,are residents of Sector 42 and 38,Chandigarh,respectively.

So far,the virus has affected seven students in Vivek High School. But the school “knows only about four cases”.

School authorities also denied having any information about the student who tested positive on Monday.

In another case,a Class I student of St John’s was tested positive on Tuesday morning,but the school was informed only late in the evening.

“It was only after 8 pm that we received a call,and were instructed to suspend Class I B with immediate effect,” the school’s spokesperson said. “We tried to inform all parents,but there were many who could not be contacted. A number of students may turn up tomorrow. A regular and timely update would have been handy.”

School authorities further said,“It is not possible to inform all parents whenever there is a positive case. It’s better that parents get updates through newspapers.”

Health Secretary Ram Niwas,meanwhile,refuted the schools’ claims. “Schools themselves are not willing to share information,as they fear bad publicity. We have been extra cautious in every case. Health officials have been going to schools,quarantining students and asking authorities to discontinue classes,” he said.

Niwas reiterated his decision to not share daily updates with the media,for it would “lead to panic”.

“For the same reason,schools have been instructed to not talk about positive cases,” he said.

St John’s sends 15 students back home,man dies at PGI

St. John’s School sent 15 students back home on Tuesday after they showed flu-like symptoms.

An Ambala resident died of swine flu at PGI two days ago. While the UT and PGI officials refused to comment,swine flu nodal officer of Ambala Dr Surinder Mohan said Rakesh Agarwal (42) died on the day his samples were tested positive on Monday. Two persons have died of swine flu in Ambala so far.

In Mohali schools,no classes have been reportedly suspended. Vice-principal of the Yadavindra Public School,Anita Kashyap,said no student was sent back home due to swine flu.

Annual function of the Lawerance Public Senior Secondary School,which was postponed earlier,has been scheduled for December 5.

In Panchkula also schools functioned normally. Sandeep Sardana,principal of the Manav Mangal School,Sector 11,said,“Two doctors are keeping a close watch on students. But no instructions or guidelines have been received from the administration.”

Curated For You

Jana Nayagan Release Date Postponed LIVE Updates: Madras HC to pronounce verdict for Vijay’s film today, fans hopeful of a positive outcome

The Raja Saab Movie Review LIVE Updates: Prabhas-starrer releases in theatres, early reviews call it, ‘a decent watch’

FIR against Bengaluru school for collecting admission fees without approvals