Health officials plan to shut all schools in Pune

As 39 new cases of swine flu emerged in Pune on Friday, the state health authorities are contemplating shutting down all schools in the city. Satyajit Joshi reports.

As 39 new cases of swine flu emerged in Pune on Friday, the state health authorities are contemplating shutting down all schools in the city.

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But the education department is working out a plan so that students’ education is not affected even if schools are closed for some time.

State health minister Rajendra Shingne on Friday said the state government would decide if all schools needed to be shut for a brief period by next week.

Panicked parents have already stopped sending their children to school, as most of the swine flu patients are children.

“Attendance has been affected,” said Leena Chaudhary, principal of Symbiosis School. D.S. Jagtap, director, primary education, said: “Our top priority is to face the calamity and we are taking necessary steps in consultation with the health department.”

Jagtap added classes would be conducted during weekends, vacations curtailed and extra classes held to complete the syllabus.

Bhalchandra Desle, director, higher education, said: “We have called a meeting in the next week to discuss the issue when some decision is likely to be taken.”