By: Afaq Bhat
Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir Government has decided to reopen the colleges and universities across the Union Territory in a phased manner. Reopening of higher educational institutions would pave the way to restart the schooling in J&K.
Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha has said that the government was fully aware of the demands of parents about re-opening of schools in Kashmir. He announced colleges and universities will be reopened and schools will follow but he attached a rider saying, “Educational institutions will be reopened after all students above 18-years of age are vaccinated.”
A medico while talking to Precious Kashmir said, “Vaccination holds the key to defeat COVID-19. The third wave has been deferred due to more and more people getting vaccinated and developing resistance to fight the virus. But we cannot be complacent as the mutated version of the COVID can even evade vaccines.”
He said, “The COVID-19 has hit each and every sector but the education sector has been the worst hit. Students have not gone to schools and colleges for the past two years. Online education is no substitute for offline classes. We have remained patient and it’s just a matter of time before we defeat the virus completely.”
An observer said, “Vaccination drive for the adults is going on in full swing but vaccinations for children are yet to commence. Maybe by year end we will see normalcy returning and life coming back on track.”
“Countries like Israel and the US have started administering the third booster shot against the dominant delta variant, many people in this part of the globe are still struggling for first and second shots. Till we get over COVID-19 people have to ensure that they follow Covid Appropriate Behavior (CAB) in letter and spirit. Wearing a face mask, washing hands and avoiding crowded places are the basics which we need to follow at least till the pandemic ends.”
According to the officials 66% adults in J&K are fully vaccinated and the efforts are on to achieve the 100% vaccination target. “When the second wave of COVID-19 had struck schools and colleges had become the hot spots. This time around the administration has acted with caution and seems in no mood to take any chances,” the observer added.
It’s in place to mention here that the second COVID-19 wave had spread like a wildfire in Jammu and Kashmir. But this time around the administration is taking all the precautions to prevent the third wave from breaking out.
