Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia on Saturday said that 85 per cent of the Delhi government’s school students have been vaccinated for the coronavirus, noting that vaccination in private schools is being done at a snail’s pace. He said that now that the cases of Kovid-19 are decreasing significantly and most of the students of higher classes have been vaccinated, a proposal can be placed before the DDMA to reopen the schools.
He said that till January 21, only 42 per cent of eligible students have been vaccinated in private schools. While government schools are moving towards meeting their target of vaccination, private schools are being vaccinated at a snail’s pace. Except in East Delhi district, private schools have also failed to achieve 50 per cent vaccination coverage,” he said.
Around 3.5 lakh students in private schools are eligible for COVID-19 vaccination, but till date even 2 lakh have not been vaccinated, the minister, who also holds the education department, said. “Even aided schools have not performed well. Till now only 57 per cent students have been vaccinated in aided schools,” he said. According to a government statement, about 85 per cent students in the age group of 15-18 years of Delhi government schools have been vaccinated till January 21. The Directorate of Education (DOE) has set a target of 100 percent immunization by January 30, which appears to be within reach.
Sisodia on Saturday said that vaccination is the most effective way to stay safe from COVID-19 and hence, it is extremely important that all eligible students are vaccinated at the earliest. “In 12 out of 15 education districts, 85 per cent students of Delhi government schools have been vaccinated and there are around 300 schools where 90 per cent of eligible students have got the job,” he said.
Noting that the pace of vaccination in government schools is “commendable”, he said teachers have been at the forefront in this unprecedented time of pandemic. “They are not only taking care of the education but also the vaccination of the students. 100% vaccination of students will help us to move from online education to offline mode. Now that the cases of coronavirus are decreasing significantly, and most of the students of higher classes have been vaccinated, a proposal can be placed before the DDMA to reopen the schools,” he said.
The immunization of students between 15-18 years started on January 3, the statement said. The AAP government led by Arvind Kejriwal had started preparations for this on a war footing. A nodal in-charge was posted in each school, adding that all class teachers were asked to ensure that information on vaccination sites reaches all parents and students. The government had designated over 150 sites for immunization of school students. The 20 school health clinics started in government schools were also converted into vaccination centres.
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