With children being "less susceptible" to Covid-19 infections, the Centre on Tuesday suggested opening primary schools first after considering the public health situation in each district.
“So, once India starts considering opening schools, it will be wise to begin with the primary schools, followed by secondary schools,” Indian Council of Medical Research Director General Balram Bhargava told reporters.
He said the decision on starting schools will have to be taken by state governments after considering parameters such as the test positivity rate, vaccination of teachers and support staff as well as the public health situation in a particular district.
Bhargava said it has been established that children have lower number of ace receptors than adults where the virus attaches itself in the lungs.
“Children can handle viral infection much better,” he said, adding that schools have to ensure that all its teachers and support staff, including bus drivers, are vaccinated before a decision is taken to open schools.
Bhargava pointed out that several Scandinavian and European countries had not shut down primary schools throughout the pandemic.
The suggestion to open primary schools first has come against the backdrop of announcement by some states to open colleges first followed by high schools.
Replying to a debate on Covid-19 situation in the Rajya Sabha, Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya said that trials on vaccines for children are underway and expressed hope that they too would soon be covered under the vaccination drive.
(Published 20 July 2021, 11:10 IST)
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