Two city schools have asked parents to submit vaccination certificates of their children and at least one more is deliberating doing so as a preparation for reopening of schools and holding in-person board exams.
The schools, however, said that students who have tested positive for Covid would be exempted from producing the certificate. St James’ School has asked for certificates by the end of this month and The Heritage School by the middle of February.
Julien Day School Kalyani is thinking of asking parents to submit the vaccination certificates either before the board exams or before in-person classes resume. Schools have been organising vaccination camps in their institutions and they expect students to get the jab either in school or outside, whichever is convenient.
The authorities at St James’ said that about 50 per cent of students turned up for vaccination in the school held this week.
“Even if they have not taken the vaccination in school, we expect them to take it outside and submit a certificate to us by the end of this month. This will be a protection for in-person exams and classes,” said Terence Ireland, the principal of St James’ School.
The Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE) has advised school heads to encourage parents to get their children vaccinated “at the earliest”.
The Heritage School that conducted a vaccination drive in the school in the beginning of January asked parents to submit the vaccination certificate of their children by February 15.
“We have sent a letter to parents and we want them to produce the final vaccination certificate of those who are eligible. Some parents reverted that their children have had Covid and would not be able to produce the certificate by the mentioned date and we would consider that,” said Seema Sapru, the principal of The Heritage School.
The vaccination of students between 15 and 18 years of age started from January 3. Schools organised camps either in association with private hospitals or the local civic body on their premises. However, there is no compulsion on students to take the jab in the school.
Many students could not take the vaccine and some were also turned away because they had symptoms. “The vaccine is being provided free of cost by the government and it should also be the responsibility of parents to get it done for their children. We are thinking of asking children to produce the certificates either before the board exams or if schools are allowed to resume in-person classes,” said Terence John, principal of Julien Day School, Kalyani.
