National Conference Provincial President Mr Devender Singh Rana today exhorted Jammu and Kashmir administration to exercise caution while arriving at a decision to reopen schools in the middle of current month amid unfortunate increase in the COVID-19 cases, saying any wrong move could be detrimental for students at their tender ages.
“Mere thought of reopening schools seems to be premature as most of the schools lack necessary infrastructural facilities to enforce mandatory preventive protocols, more importantly ensuring distance”, Mr Rana said in a statement while reacting to the move of the administration in this regard, adding that non-adherence of do’s and don’ts could negate the efforts of containing the spread of pandemic.
Mr Rana said young children are vulnerable to the infection and therefore precaution should be keyword to combat the virus. Also, the main stakeholders—parents—should be taken into confidence on such a vital issue pertaining to their children, he said, adding that the government must not rush to return of normalcy, especially when it comes to health of young children.
“Do the schools have adequate infrastructure and training to implement COVOD-19 precautions”, the Provincial asked and counseled against taking chances with the children. He said the government must tread the path ahead carefully and ensure that the Herculean task being performed by frontine corona warriors in saving the lives at the peril of their own and that of their families safety. He said the society must support all these efforts and adhere to the safety norms.
Mr Rana hoped that the administration will review its move on the subject as it concerns every family in Jammu and Kashmir.