KOZHIKODE: Even as the district is limping back to normalcy following the Nipah virus infection, college authorities in the city are planning to give a set of security instruction for the students to be followed once the institutes reopen for the new academic session. College staff have also been directed to ensure that safety measures are properly implemented in the upcoming weeks.
According to Malabar Christian College principal Godwin Samraj, students including freshers will be provided with a set of general instructions to follow the next 15 days. “ The classes for the second and third-year students will commence this week. We will instruct them to immediately consult doctors even if they have a mild fever, or report to the college authorities if they do not feel well, “ he said. He added that awareness sessions will also be held for the students.
In colleges that offer residential facilities, special instructions have already been given to hostel authorities to assure that only clean and healthy food is given to the students. The hostel managements have been directed to make sure that the food is cooked in clean utensils and only boiled water is given to students for drinking. "A majority of our students are hostelers," said Feroke College principal E P Imbichikoya. "Ensuring that they are healthy and do not fall sick, is a necessity," he added.
A large section of the colleges are also organising mass cleaning drives within the campus by segregating bio and non-biodegradable wastes, cleansing the water tanks, clearing the weeds and muddy tracks. “ Swachh Bharat Sena functioning under the NSS will carry out the activities in full swing once the colleges reopen within two weeks, “ said St. Joseph’s College Devagiri principal Sibichan M Thomas.
Meanwhile, schools in the district, which are set to reopen on Tuesday, are also planning to organise awareness classes for students, conduct cleaning programmes and ensure that water sources such as wells are covered with mesh and metal frames