At least 7 students of govt-run Mera Malpur school faint due to severe heat wave, electricity loadshedding

ISLAMABAD – Around seven students of government-run Mera Malpur middle school on Wednesday fainted due to severe heat wave and non-availability of electricity.

Officials at school informed The Nation that seven students fainted when there was no electricity and classes were going on.

Officials said that students who fainted were provided first aid at school and provided space for rest and later sent home after they were stable, while academic activities were also suspended there.

Officials at the Federal Directorate of Education (FDE) said that IMCB I-10/2 is also facing loadshedding for the last three days.

“Despite of conveying the power authorities for providing uninterrupted electricity supply during school timings, the authorities have not taken the matter seriously,” sources said.

Muhammad Ajmal said that his son is studying at IMCB I-10/2 and there is no electricity there for last three days.

He said that in an intense heat wave, students are also directed to wear masks and in absence of electricity it becomes difficult for them to attend classes.

“FDE should ensure provision of basic facilities in schools and colleges to avoid unpleasant incidents,” he said.

Meanwhile, after the incident took place, the FDE revised the school timings for the government run schools and colleges and directed that students will attend the institution only twice a week without consecutive attendance.

President Federal Government Teachers Association (FGTA) Malik Ameer Khan said that students from grade 01 to 08 should be promoted on the basis of previous results and a new session should be started.

He said that in such intense heat, the academic activity is also not effective and students’ health needs extra care to avoid such incidents.

He welcomed the decision of FDE to change the school timings.   

The letter issued by FDE said that  in continuation of this directorate’s letter dated 30-05-2021 and 04-06-2021 and in the context of heat wave currently being experienced in ICT, the revised timings of educational institutions are as under in which each student shall attend the institution only twice a week with no consecutive attendance.

It said that for single shift institutions, the timings will be 07:00am to 11:00am from Monday to Thursday. All students shall attend classes in staggered manner in two groups on alternate days with no more than 50% students to be allowed at any given day.

It also said that for double shift institutions timing of morning shift 07:00am to 11:00am from Monday to Thursday. All students shall attend classes in staggered manner in two groups on alternate days with no more than 50% students to be allowed at any given day.

The letter said the timing of evening shift will be from 07:00am to 11:00am on Friday to Saturday and all students shall attend their classes on given days with staggered seating in compliance with COVID-19 SOPs.

“There shall be no compromise in SOPs compliance in premises and transport. Moreover students should be advised to cover their head while coming to and from institutions. Use of hat, cap and umbrella to be encouraged along with sufficient liquid/water intake,” said the letter.

It also said that Friday shall be a working day for staff (teaching and admin) in single shift institutes and morning shift of double shift institutes with Saturday being off for them.

It said that all area education officers are requested to ensure dissemination of information and its implementation in true letter and spirit. 

Article source: https://nation.com.pk/10-Jun-2021/at-least-7-students-of-govt-run-mera-malpur-school-faint-due-to-severe-heat-wave-electricity-loadshedding