Bhat Yasir
On one hand, the Srinagar administration is declaring micro containment zones and on the other, it has allowed colleges to open in the district.
After an order issued by the Srinagar administration, Government College for Women MA Road Srinagar has ordered its students to attend classes (in-person) from Monday on a rotation basis.
In an order, whose copy lies with The Kashmiriyat, the college administration has said “It is hereby ordered that all the students of this college shall attend the classes (in-person) as per the following roaster.”
“The students shall ensure that COVID-19 SOPs and guidelines issued by the district administration are followed in letter and spirit,” the order further reads.
It is pertinent to mention here that on Friday, the District administration Srinagar had declared opening of government/private colleges in the district. The administration, further, in an order said that necessary vaccination program shall continue in all colleges in Srinagar district.
The heads of the institutions were directed to ensure completion of vaccination process in two days from the beginning of in-person classes. They were also directed to ensure implementation of COVID-19 SOPs and guidelines in letter and spirit.
Saqib Manzoor, a Journalism student of same Govt. College for women MA Road Srinagar, raising concern about the decision said, “Why didn’t they reopen educational institutions a few months back when cases were down? That’s an apt time for starting in-person classes but now, when health experts are warning us to gear up for the third wave of deadly COVID-19, administration from nowhere has come up with an order of reopening them. This is incorrigible.”
Another Journalism student of same college, Hashim Zakir, said “Opening of colleges and schools would have been a good and welcoming step a month earlier but at this stage, when we have spike in cases everyday, 3rd wave can hit us anytime. This development will prove to be a negative one. Who will be responsible if even a single student dies of covid? It seems like there is no management of time. They give orders and common masses have to suffer.”
Students have criticised the administration’s step to open colleges at a time when cases are rising again. “As govt. is mulling to open colleges at the time when Covid cases are on a rise again, I don’t think it’s time to open colleges. Life matters more than anything,” another Journalism Student of same college said, on the condition of anonymity.
Dr Nisar-Ul-Hassan, President of Doctor Association Kashmir, told The Kashmiriyat that the 3rd wave of COVID-19 is imminent and it can arrive anytime. “As far as the adults are concerned, we should vaccinate them fully first only then, should they be allowed to mingle with each other. It is not possible to maintain Covid Appropriate Behavior (CAB) in Colleges,” Dr Nisar-Ul-Hassan said.
“So the best way is to get them (students) vaccinated fully and then allow them to be in their colleges. At least 70% of the students should be vaccinated in a college,” he added.
Dr Aijaz, President of Doctors Association Kupwara, told The Kashmiriyat, “Sure, we must go on if all our teachers and students are fully vaccinated. We can go for 50 percent attendance in colleges on rotation basis.”
“As all over world in maximum countries, colleges are open now, we can’t afford to do injustice with education now,” he added.
Replying to a question on spreading of virus through vaccinated students, Dr Aijaz said, “If they are fully vaccinated, I mean both teachers as well as students, then there are lesser chances.”
On 14 September, District administration Srinagar had declared 5 more areas as Micro containment zones.
As per media bulletin on COVID-19 issued by Government of UT J&K on 18 September, 152 new positive cases have been reported, among which 137 cases are from Kashmir division and 67 cases from Srinagar district alone.