Noting how academic activities were affected for more than six months since the pandemic broke out, academicians and parents urged the State government to give priority to school and college teachers and students.

 A senior official from the School Education Department told DT Next that there were several requests from stakeholders, including parents, to vaccinate students soon after its launch. “Keeping the suggestions in mind, the matter will be taken up with the State government to give importance to students during vaccination,” he said.

 The official added that a comprehensive programme to prepare teachers- students’ immunisation drive would be worked out soon.

 Tamil Nadu Teachers’ Association president PK Ilamaran said students and teachers should be vaccinated along with health workers so that academic activities could be restarted. “There are 3.02 lakh teachers and about 67 lakh students at State-run schools. All of them should be given priority in the immunisation programme,” he said. According to DC Elangovan, secretary, Federation of Associations of Private Schools in Tamil Nadu, the government should set up immunisation camps at all schools as soon as the vaccine is available for the public. “It has to be organised to resume academic activities quickly,” he said.

 S Arumainathan, president, Tamil Nadu Students Parents Welfare Association, said schools should ensure that not even a single student was left out. “Teachers should also make sure that they get vaccinated,” he said.

“We are ready to take classes at any time. But the safety of students and teachers is very important. Therefore, immunising them on a priority basis is vital,” said N Pasupathy, president, Association of University Teachers (AUT). After administering vaccines, the government should also take steps to monitor their health, he added.