CHENNAI: Alarmed by rising Covid-19 cases in Coimbatore district, schoolteachers have urged the state government to declare holiday for classes till XI.
“The number of students visiting schools has come down drastically since the start of the month. This is mainly because parents do not want to put their children at risk,” said a government schoolteacher in Pollachi.
Most of the students are using public transportation to travel to schools.
“As the practical examination is just a few days away and students are yet to complete their record books, we have asked them to visit school at least for a week and assured to take all the precautionary measures.”
The government should declare holiday for students in lower classes as teachers have completed the syllabus, said another teacher.
“While some of the teachers are conducting classes just to keep them engaged, others are not conducting classes at all. It is better to declare holiday for the students. Teachers have been asked to visit school regularly. While class XII teachers are busy with their students, others remain idle.”
“I tested positive for the virus a day after the election even though I use own vehicle. Unlike me, many teachers are using public transportation to commute, which is risky,” he added.
Several schoolteachers, other staff and their spouses have tested positive for the virus in the last few days, said T Arulanantham, state auditor of Tamil Nadu High and Higher Secondary School Graduate Teachers Association. “It is high time the government stops putting teachers at risk and direct them not to visit school.”
The number of Class XII students visiting the school has also dropped by 50% in the last one week, Arulanantham said. “The government should cancel regular classes and instead conduct a few hours of doubt clearing sessions to check
Covid spread.”