262 students test positive after schools reopen in Andhra, govt not ‘alarmed’

In a shocking development, as many as 262 students and about 239 teachers have tested positive for Covid-19 in Andhra Pradesh.

Andhra’s Commissioner of School Education V Chinna Veerabhadrudu said the figure is not alarming when compared to the number of students attending the schools, though every care is being taken to ensure Covid-19 safety protocols are in place in every institution.

He further said that on 4th November around four lakh students attended schools. There were 262 positive cases. It is not even 0.1 percent and hence it is not correct to say that they were affected due to their attendance at schools. We ensure that each schoolroom has only 15 or 16 students.

The psychological impact of the Covid-19 outbreak and the consequential lockdown has been a topic of discussion in Andhra Pradesh since the majority of the parents refuse to send their children to schools. The student community happens to be one of the most vulnerable sections of society.

As a step towards addressing the same, the Government of Andhra Pradesh has decided to actively help the students deal with their psychological issues emerging out of financial, career-oriented as well as any other forms of stress which could push them into a pessimistic sphere.

As a part of the same, the Department of Higher Education has asked all the government universities in the state to set up a ‘counselling cell’ on campus.

Highly qualified psychology professors, a lot of whom have at some point been practicing counselors will be responsible for addressing the issues of students to bring them back to the right path.

Speaking about the same, Special Chief Secretary, Satish Chandra said, “We have noticed that a lot of students are scared about their future, think Covid-19 can damage their chances of being successful. Some of them also carry the baggage of other forms of stress due to the lockdown and the outbreak. Mental health is as important as physical health for a student who aims to do well. As per the directions of the CM, we have undertaken this initiative to get such students back to the right path. They need to be told that their careers aren’t in danger and that the government and the departments stand with them”.