Hyderabad: Corona fear doesn't deter private schools from functioning

Hyderabad: The state government is yet to take a decision on reopening of schools, even as some thinking was on to re-open from mid January, no final decision has been taken. In the meantime, a new strain of coronavirus is sweeping across the southern UK causing serious concern among Governments and the medical fraternity.

In view of the latest development, the state government wants to tread a careful path and does not want to take any hasty step. But some private schools in the city seem to be blatantly violating the Government Orders and are conducting classes without even caring for Covid-19 protocols.

The Hans India team noticed that some schools were functioning in Jeedimetla and Kothapeta areas. What is worse was that no Covid safety protocols seem to be in vogue in these schools.

Hardly any student was seen wearing a mask and there was nothing like social distancing. Children were happily seen coming out of the school with hands on each other's shoulders. According to the local people, students even from class 1-5 were seen attending the classes which are conducted from 8 am to 3.30 pm. A visit to one of such schools revealed that even a notice on the gate like " No Mask No Entry" was not displayed. In the Kothapet area, some private schools are running primary classes (1-5) during morning hours and higher classes during afternoon sessions. When contacted, Regional Joint Director of School Education G Ramesh said that neither the District Education Officer (DEO) nor the state government had given any instruction to re-open the schools. The Government was yet to take a call on this issue. He expressed surprise that some schools were holding classes and said he would ask the DEO concerned to look into the issue.