Bhubaneswar: Amid diarrhoea outbreak in several areas, schools across Odisha are set to reopen on Friday after the summer vacation with adequate precautionary measures.
The decision to reopen schools in three diarrhoea-affected districts will be taken by the respective District Collectors after assessing the prevailing situation, School and Mass Education Minister Nityananda Gond told reporters.
Stating that the Collectors of the districts concerned have been empowered to keep schools closed if the situation turns grave, he said the government is concerned about the situation arising out of diarrhoea outbreak.
The officials have been asked to closely monitor the prevailing situation in the vulnerable districts before resuming school classes, the Minister said.
As part of steps to ensure safety of students, a number of precautionary measures have been taken and schools without water purification systems have to make arrangements for boiled drinking water, Gond said.
Similarly, mid-day meal cooks have been asked to serve hot meals along with boiled water. Appropriate arrangements are also being made in residential schools for hostel inmates, the Minister added.
Stressing the need for cleanliness and hygiene in schools, he said emphasis will be laid on cleaning the campus and water tanks. Fast food stalls near school campuses will remain shut as a precautionary measure.
The School and Mass Education department, in coordination with health officials, continues to track developments and stands ready to implement further measures to safeguard students across the state.
