KARGIL, FEBRUARY 23, 2021: Chairman and Chief Executive Councillor (CEC), LAHDC, Kargil Feroz Ahmad Khan today chaired a meeting with the concerned officers to discuss opening of schools in offline mode from classes 9th and above from 1st March, 2021.
Executive Councillor for Social Welfare Aga Syed Hassan Armaan, Executive Councillor for Tourism Er Phunsok Tashi, Deputy Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), LAHDC, Kargil Santosh Sukhadeve, Chief Education Officer (CEO) Nazir Ahmad Wani, Principals of Degree College Kargil, Drass and Zanskar, Zonal Education Officers (ZEOs), other concerned officers besides the representatives of private schools were present during the meeting.
During the course of the meeting, detailed discussions and deliberations were held on various issues like opening of schools in a phased manner, sanitization, cleanliness and sanitation facilities at schools, strength of students in classes and availability of accommodation facilities, transport to and from schools, permission in case of external visitors to schools, consent of parents and various related other issues.
The CEC while appreciating the officers of Education Department for good performance of Government schools during the last 2 years said that in order to run classes from 9th standard and above, all Government and private schools in the district will be made functional from 1st of March, 2021. He also appreciated the performance of few model schools that are providing education in innovative ways since last two years.
CEC Khan further stated that on the basis of favorable situation, the schools will be opened for lower classes from 11th March, 2021. He instructed the CEO Kargil and ZEOs to ensure proper sanitization and cleanliness of the schools 3 days prior to opening further ensuring the observance of COVID-19 SOPs including the installation of thermal scanning facilities, observation of students with fever, proper physical distancing, use of face masks etc in the schools.
The CEC further said in order to facilitate teachers and students, the Administration is considering to establish staff quarters in far flung areas,
EC Social Welafre Aga Syed Hassan Armaan urged to focus on education sector to recover the loss that has been caused because of the closure of schools due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He also said that the environment in schools should be attractive so that it attracts students towards school instead of staying at home.
EC Tourism Er Phunsog Tashi suggested during the meeting that instead of generalizing all schools in a single category, it is wise to categorize and open the schools considering the ground realities in different areas.
Meanwhile, the Deputy Commissioner and CEO, LAHDC, Kargil Santosh Sukhadeve said that as much as the children remain detached from schools, they would lose focus on studies as well. As the COVID-19 cases are soaring again in various states of the country, this meeting is to ensure a well planned systematic opening of schools, the DC said.
The DC further said that a gap of 10 days would be enough for observation to open schools for lower classes after opening it for Class 9th and above. He emphasized on sanitization, cleanliness, hygiene, awareness during morning prayers, and ensuring of face masks in schools, adding he urged to ensure that children in schools avoid touching each other. He further said that visitors will not be allowed in schools without proper permission from the DC or CEO Office.
CEO Kargil Nazir Ahmad Wani also focused on establishing screening points, proper cleanliness and hygiene arrangements in school surroundings, toilets, sanitization and hand washing points besides creating awareness to students on COVID-19.
