All government schools in Delhi have been instructed by the State government to conduct drives to raise awareness about various vector-borne diseases among school students.
Several mosquito-borne diseases such as dengue, malaria, and chikungunya have already started spreading in Delhi this season. If preventive measures are not taken, these diseases can take epidemic positions in the state, said a circular issued on Tuesday.
The circular also stated that to control and prevent the outbreak of such diseases, the students have to be made aware of the do’s and don’ts to prevent the breeding of mosquitoes. The State Government has directed all heads of Government, government-aided and also private unaided institutions under the Directorate of Education to share the instructions of the circular with the staff members and students so that they can follow it at home.
The circular contained several instructions like, “To avoid mosquito bites, wear full-sleeved clothing and use mosquito repellents. Message regarding prevention and control of dengue, malaria and chikungunya should be given during assembly or classes. Cover all water tanks and containers with well-fitted lids to the prevent breeding of mosquitoes. All coolers should be scrubbed and cleaned once a week and mopped dry before refilling water.
In coolers that cannot be emptied, put one tablespoon of petrol or diesel. All unused containers, junk materials, tyres, coconut shells etc. should be properly disposed off. Change water in flower vases, plant and bird pots every week to prevent mosquito breeding. Cover the toilet seat if going out of home for more than a week.”
The heads of schools have also been directed to assign class teachers or any other teachers to share awareness amongst the students via activities such as poster making, street plays, poem recitation and slogan writing.
The circular also stated that each school is required to submit a report on these activities to the respective zonal deputy director of education from July.
According to the circular, a nodal officer in each school will monitor all the activities being carried out and will be responsible for all these activities about prevention and awareness against vector-borne diseases. The officer will also conduct regular checking of the school building during which the possible breeding sites to be checked are some of the points mentioned in the action plan.
All district deputy directors of education have also been asked to submit a compliance report by August.
