Heritage Academy
The Heritage Academy High School conducted a free vaccination camp for classes IX to XII on January 12, 13 and 14. Over 500 students got their shots in the camp that was organised in association with the Howrah Municipal Corporation. The school authorities carried out the vaccination process maintaining all Covid safety protocols. Everyone was masked, sanitised and they maintained social distancing. Thirty minutes were allotted for the vaccination of 25 people. The auditorium and three classrooms were earmarked for the purpose. Children were also very happy to be back in school after so long. “The drive will provide the students the much-needed protection from the deadly virus and will help them resume physical classes with confidence in the near future,” said administrator Sourya Sadhan Bose.
Birla High School and Sushila Birla Girls’ School
To usher in a safer environment where students can resume offline classes, the Vidya Mandir Society organised a joint vaccination camp for students of Birla High School and Sushila Birla Girls’ School on January 8 and 14. The camp was attended by students between 15 and 18 years, and it was organised in collaboration with Belle Vue Clinic in the Sushila Birla Girls’ School grounds.
Classes X and XII came on Day I, while classes IX and XI on Day II. The students were administered the first dose of Covaxin by the medical team consisting of doctors and nurses. Co-ordinators, teachers and support staff members of both the schools were present to oversee the drive. Separate routes were chalked out for the entry and exit of the students. All safety protocols were strictly followed during the drive. “The vaccination drive gives students a much-needed safety blanket. This was the need of the hour and fortunately we were able to offer help,” said Sushila Birla Girls’ School principal Koeli Dey.
“We welcome the government’s decision to vaccinate students, because that will ensure school reopening. Students are eagerly looking forward to coming back to school and resuming normal life,” said Birla High School principal Loveleen Saigal.
Krishnagar Public School
Around 300 students of Krishnagar Public School got their first jab on January 10. The school had organised the health camp for their students in association with the district health department. The students from classes VIII to XII, who turned up for the vaccination, were given different time slots in the morning to avoid overcrowding. At every step social distancing and other Covid protocols were followed. The health camp was the initiative of school director Amitava Guha. Principal Sankar Prasad Dutta said: “This vaccination for school students was particularly necessary especially in the face of the sudden severe spike of Covid-19 cases in recent times. We were happy that we could organise this campaign for our students on our school premises, thereby ensuring a safe and comfortable environment for them. We are looking forward to the second phase of this drive soon.”
MP Birla Foundation Higher Secondary School
The school conducted a vaccination camp in collaboration with the state’s school education department and Calcutta Municipal Corporation. Students between 15 and 18 years got their first dose of Covaxin on the school premises.
Around 525 students were vaccinated free of charge. Doctors, nurses and the school’s staff members helped out to make the process hassle-free. Officers from the organising bodies inspected the camp and appreciated the methodical way it was being conducted.
“The drive is pivotal for reopening of schools. We are happy that MP Birla Foundation is one of the few private schools in Calcutta that have been selected as vaccination centres. We could, therefore, offer our students the convenience of getting vaccinated free of cost. We got a good response,” said vice-principal Purnima Chattopadhyay.
DPS Joka
In an effort to provide a safer atmosphere for the students and help them fight the coronavirus better, DPS Joka, South Calcutta, joined hands with the state department of health and family welfare to organise a vaccination camp on the school premises. The camp was open for students of 15 to 18 years from January 11 to 13. Following Covid protocols, an open space bordering the school’s old assembly area was used for registrations. Vaccinations were done in the adjacent classrooms. After the jab, the vaccinated students waited for a stipulated time under medical observation in the hall and were allowed to leave by a different gate. The initiative received kudos from the students and parents alike. Most felt the initiative was the need of the hour and a way forward to that time when students can safely return to their classrooms and the school rejuvenates with life. “Vaccination is the only way to protect ourselves from the ill-effect of Covid-19. We were indeed glad with the announcement of the availability of vaccines for the students between 15 to 18 years and I am truly thankful to BPHC-Samali for organising the vaccination camp for our students. I am indeed thankful to the parents for their whole-hearted participation,” said principal Writuparna Chatterjee.
