Private schools in Karnataka urged to strengthen safety measures amid Covid concerns

As schools in Karnataka prepare to reopen, the Karnataka Associated Managements of Schools (KAMS) has issued an updated advisory for private educational institutions in response to emerging Covid-19 variants and rising cases of viral infections. The move follows the recent Covid-related death of a student in Bengaluru, prompting renewed focus on health and safety protocols.

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The advisory highlights precautionary steps to be taken by schools both before and after reopening. It emphasizes that while there is no immediate cause for alarm, schools must remain vigilant and prioritize student well-being. A key recommendation is to enforce a strict health-based attendance policy, asking parents not to send children with symptoms like fever, cough, cold, rashes, or allergies to school. Immediate medical attention is encouraged in such cases.

Institutions have been instructed to conduct thorough sanitisation of campuses and promote hygiene awareness among students and staff. Teachers are expected to educate children on proper handwashing, respiratory hygiene, and maintaining well-ventilated classrooms. In the event a child shows signs of illness during school hours, the school must ensure immediate isolation under supervision and promptly inform the parents.

KAMS has also advised schools to avoid circulating unverified information, urging all stakeholders to rely on official updates from health authorities. While current guidelines do not mandate masks or social distancing, schools have been told that further measures may be introduced based on evolving public health advisories.