India

ICMR Chief Gives Nod To Reopening Primary Schools, Says ‘Kids Handle Infection Better

By
OB Bureau

New Delhi: Dr. Balram Bhargava, chief of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has given a nod to the reopening of primary schools (Classes I to V) saying younger children have “much better ability to handle the virus than adults”.

In fact, he has said that primary schools should be opened before students of senior classes from IX-XII are asked to join back school.

Dr. Bhargava, however, said that before reopening schools, the authorities need to ensure that all staff and teachers must be vaccinated. “Children can handle viral infection better, they have less number of receptors. So once the decision is taken and all the staff vaccinated it would be good to open primary schools first,” he was quoted as saying by News18.

As per the latest Sero survey, as many as 67.6 per cent of India’s population above six years was found to have SARS-CoV-2 antibodies.

Earlier, AIIMS director, Dr. Randeep Guleria said, “I am a proponent of opening up schools in a staggered way for districts that are seeing less virus circulation. It (reopening of schools) can be planned for places having positivity rates below 5 per cent.” He added that “keeping schools shut down can affect children adversely.”

Children belonging to economically weaker families or residing in areas with low network connectivity have been facing issues attending online classes. According to reports, it might take up to three years for students to fill the learning gap faced by the closing of schools during the pandemic.

OB Bureau

Recent Posts

Centre Sends Notice To Wikipedia Over ‘Bias & Inaccurate Information’

New Delhi: The central government has sent a notice to Wikipedia—which endorses itself as a…

November 5, 2024

4 Journalists From Odisha Injured In Road Accident In Tamil Nadu

Bhubaneswar: Four journalists from Odisha sustained critical injuries when as the SUV carrying them rammed…

November 5, 2024

‘Untimely’ Rath Yatra In Huston: Puri Gajapati Asks ISKCON Not To Test Patience Of Lord Jagannath Devotees In Odisha

Puri: Gajapati Maharaja Dibyasingha Deb on Tuesday said legal action would be initiated against International…

November 5, 2024

Madrasas Can Now Function In UP, SC Upholds Constitutional Validity Of 2004 Act

New Delhi: In a big relief to about 16,000-odd madrasas in Uttar Pradesh, the Supreme…

November 5, 2024

Youth Critical In Sword Attack By Bike-Borne Miscreants In Odisha Capital

Bhubaneswar: A young man was critically injured after being attacked by three bike-borne miscreants in…

November 5, 2024

Cricket, Queen Of Hearts, Social Media & The Big Rohit-Virat Question

Off with his head', orders the Queen of Hearts and off goes a head. The…

November 5, 2024

Canadian Cop Suspended For Protesting Outside Hindu Temple Holding Pro-Khalistani Flag

Ottawa: A Canadian cop, identified as Sergeant Harinder Sohi—a Peel Regional Police officer— was reportedly…

November 5, 2024

Miscreants Kill Woman After Tying Husband To Tree In Odisha’s Koraput

Koraput: In a shocking incident, A woman was allegedly killed after the assailants tied her…

November 5, 2024