Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)
Mangaluru, Nov 19: Even though the degree colleges have opened for students, on Wednesday, the second day in succession, the student strength did not register any appreciable increase. However, compared to Tuesday, there was an increase in class attendance.
There were several reasons for the students to stay at home. Prominent among them was coronavirus infection negative certificate not received. Second one is the festival atmosphere at home. The third is the fear of contracting the disease. In comparison, private colleges saw better student strength on Wednesday.
In some colleges, some students who attended classes on the first day failed to turn up the next day. Principal of Mangalore University College at Hampankatta, Dr Harish feels that the volatility might prevail for a week.
As it is mandatory to produce negative corona test report to be able to attend classes, in some government colleges, arrangements were made to test the students and college staff. Health department officials organised special camps in college premises for the students as well as teaching and non-teaching staff. At university college, 110 throat swab samples were collected. At the same time, similar tests have continued to be conducted since the last four days at the college at Car Street. A list of students willing to undergo tests is being prepared in Canara College in the city. A camp is likely to be organised at this college in a couple of days.
Test report for hostel admission: The students willing to get admitted into the post-matric students hostel under the social welfare department have to necessarily possess permission letter from their parents and negative COVID test report, said deputy director of social welfare in a release.
Udupi
In Udupi too college campuses wore a deserted look. All the teaching staff underwent Covid tests and prepared to run the classes. Many parents are reluctant to subject health children to Covid tests. Many feel tests are unnecessary. In MGM College, classes were conducted for four students who came to the college. On Tuesday, Covid test was performed on 319 students and these reports are expected to be received today. Fifty percent of students are expected to attend classes from Thursday or Friday onward.
Principal of Dr G Shankar government women's first grade college, Ajjarkad, Bhaskar Shetty, said that teaching staff have already undergone Covid tests.
Vice chancellor of Mangalore University, Prof P S Yadapadithaya, feels that the student attendance in colleges will register gradual improvement. He feels that some students have opted to continue with online classes as this option is available. "There may be a fear that if the student tests positive for corona, all the family members may have to undergo quarantine. By next week, we expect 50 percent students to start attending the colleges," he said.