Several private schools in the city have sought time from Kolkata Municipal Corporation before they can conduct vaccination camps on their premises.
Schools have parent-teacher meetings, teacher workshops, exams and activities lined up in the next few days before the session break.
Many schools will close for the break at the end of this week or early next week. The new session starts in the first week of April in most schools.
Several heads said they would prefer to hold the camps during the break so the term-end activities are not disrupted.
The camps in schools will be organised by the state education department and the health department in association with the KMC.
Most schools are keen to conduct the camps with the civic body so that the jabs are free of cost.
“A section of students is travelling now and we expect them to be back in town before the report card distribution, which is scheduled at the end of this week. Parents are supposed to come to school to collect them. We are in talks with the corporation so that we can conduct the vaccination before the new session,” said Father M. Thamacin Arulappan, principal of St Xavier’s Collegiate School.
In several schools, in-person exams for some classes are in the last leg. Some schools are in the process of distributing report cards, books and stationery for the new academic session.
Conducting a vaccination drive in school would mean demarcating a sizeable part of the campus for the camp.
Usually, the hall or auditorium is used for vaccination and these venues are currently being used for parent-teacher meetings or teacher workshops.
“We requested the KMC to conduct the camp during the session break because we have a teacher workshop lined up in the next few days. We have been given three days, March 30, 31 and April 1, as of now. If required, this will be extended by one more day. We will still have time to get the school ready for the new session from April 4,” said S.K. Singh, general manager, MP Birla Foundation Higher Secondary School.
Indus Valley World School is eager to conduct the camp in the term break and is in talks with the KMC. The school has given the civic body an estimate of the number of students between 12 and 14 years.
The vaccination camp at St James’ School is scheduled on Thursday and Friday.
Some schools are waiting for the final nod and dates from the civic body before sending out details to parents to get an idea of how many would want to get their children vaccinated on campus.
“So far, of 368 students between 12 and 14 years, only 161 have shown interest to get vaccinated in school. This includes some students in Class VI and some in Class IX. Parents are undecided and many have not responded,” said John Bagul, principal of South City International School. The school will have the camp during the session break that starts next week.
