KOCHI: Amid the huge rise in the number of Covid cases in the state, many educational institutions in the city are reporting cases of infection among students and teachers. Some of the colleges have partially or totally closed, fearing that the spread of infection could lead to the formation of Covid clusters within the establishments.
Several institutions are now relying more on the online mode of learning by reducing the frequency of offline lessons. The implementation of Covid protocols has also been reinforced to prevent the spread.
However, many institutions try to minimize the spread of infection among its students and teachers. They said that although cases are being reported, there is no cause for concern. Most institutions are not ready to reveal the exact figures of the Covid figures indicating that they are in the process of collecting the details.
If a student tests positive, the whole class goes into online mode to prevent the spread. In addition, details of the spread of infection among family members of students and professors are sought. If a positive case is detected in the family, the student is asked to stay home in quarantine.
At Government Model Engineering College (MEC), Thrikkakara, all courses are conducted online. Sources said nearly 40 cases have been reported to the college in the past two weeks.
“Many students are infected and there are reports of spread in the college. Although we are not informed, we have been asked to stop coming to college and attending online classes,” said a senior MEC student.
Meanwhile, MEC director Jacob Thomas said the college had been closed in a bid to give students enough time to study in the wake of upcoming exams.
“Some cases are reported among students but there is no alarming situation. So far, about 20 cases have been reported,” he said.
At St Teresa’s College, Ernakulam, two departments went fully online for a few days as some of the students tested positive. College principal Lizzy Mathew said despite warnings, many students are uncooperative and unconcerned about protocols.
“We now have around 54 Covid positive students and all are in quarantine. The Communicative English and Business departments are now offering online courses to prevent the spread of infection,” she said.
Also at St Albert’s College, some classes have reported positive cases and they have moved to online mode.
“Dividing classes to maintain social distancing is not possible now, as full force is now coming to the university. But we use large classrooms as an alternative,” MA Solomon, Principal of Albert’s College.