GURUGRAM: Ahead of the assessment tests for classes 9 to 12 this month, there is uncertainty among government schools over the mode to be adopted for them in view of the SOPs for calling students to the campuses.
The education department had mandated that students must produce medical certificates to enter the school premises. Apart from a consent form signed by parents or guardians, they must also furnish a medical certificate from a certified doctor that declares they do not have any Covid-like symptoms. Any school that allows a student in without a certificate can face strict action.
School heads and teachers TOI spoke with said several students have not been able to procure the medical certificates from the primary health centres (PHCs). Many parents, they said, seem to be unwilling to send their wards to the PHCs.
“Parents don’t want to take the risk of visiting the hospitals either because of Covid. Because of this, attendance in schools is very lean. We are confused about which mode of test — online, offline or hybrid — to use for the assessment tests,” said the principal of a senior secondary government school, not wishing to be named.
Schools further noted that online mode of tests could provide an unfair advantage to some students.
The education department said that it was facilitating students’ screening with the help of government medical officers and PHCs. “There were problems initially that have been ironed out. Education officers have been asked to tie up with the medical department of their districts and help students get the certificates. Many schools have also been organising medical camps near their campus so that students can obtain health cards,” said a senior education department official.
He added that it was the responsibility of the school heads to tie up with the nearest PHC and get the medical certificates. “The department is not going to spoon-feed every school. Their heads have to come forward and take it as their duty to help the students,” the official said.
Asha Miglani, principal of Model Sanskriti School, said the department had “already done enough”. “It is now upon the school heads to take the lead,” she said.