Officials face tough time to check violations in City schools

Amid the report of coronavirus cases surging again in the country, the Telangana government has given the nod for reopening of schools even for upper primary sections from 24^th February itself.

Through a proceeding that was issued today, the guidelines have been framed for the reopening of the upper primary section from VI to VIII classes from 24^th February in a phase manner.

It was instructed that arrangement should be made to reopen the upper primary section in a phase manner by duly following the covid-19 standard operating procedure and more so, duly obtaining the consent of the parents.

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On the other hand, the officials of the education department are facing tough times in dealing with errant schools that are blatantly violating the covid-19 guidelines.

To ensure the management strictly adheres to the guidelines, surprise inspections are being carried out in recognized and private schools in the city and outskirts.

Earlier this month, there were reports that schools in Hassan Nagar, Suleman Nagar, Indra Nagar, Mailardevpally, and other areas under Rajendranagar are running classes even for primary and upper primary students in violation of the instructions and covid-19 guidelines.

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The officials made surprise inspections in some of the recognized and private schools in Hassan Nagar and Suleman Nagar under the Rajendranagar area Yesterday and continue the exercise even today also by visiting few schools in the Mailardevpally area.

It is said that during the inspections in Hassan Nagar, Suleman Nagar, Upperpally areas yesterday, few schools were found running primary classes in violation of the instructions and guidelines to which the officials took cognizance and issued notices to the management. In some cases, the officials reportedly found that students of 6^th 7^th, and 8^th standards are also attending the schools,” the sources informed.

“During the inspections, sources said, the students allegedly try to keep the officials under rap claiming that they are from higher standards. However, the books and the readers they carry have unraveled the perplexing riddle. The officials even took photographs of the violations as conclusive proof to prove their point.”

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“Yesterday we carried out inspections in Suleman Nagar and other areas wherein few violations were found to which we have issued notices. Even today we have inspected several schools in Sri Ram Nagar, Laxmiguda, Madhuban Colony, Kattedan, and Mailardevpally areas under Rajendranagar. The school managements were strictly told to follow covid-19 guidelines like maintaining social distancing and compulsory use of face masks,” informed Mandal Education Officer (MEO) Durgula Ramreddy.

When asked about any instructions being received with regard to reopening of 6^th 7^th and 8^th standards from 23^rd February, the official clarified that “There were no clear instructions so far received from higher-ups about the reopening of 6^th 7^th and 8^th standards.”