SURAT, Sept 28: Dispelling doubts and confusion about reopening of civic schools, Municipal Commissioner S Jagadeesan announced here on Monday that all SMC-run schools in flood-affected areas would reopen from October 5.Schools in affected areas were to reopen today but the commissioner insisted that schools be first cleaned and disinfected to ensure that children, who are most vulnerable, did not fall victim to any diseases.Talking to Express Newsline, Nagar Prathamik Shikshan Samiti Chairman Hitendra Chudawala said while teaching in SMC-run schools in non-affected areas had resumed, ``we had to postpone the date to reopen schools inflood-hit areas.'' All civic schools will have to get NOC from deputy health officer of the concerned zones.Attendance in schools, which resumed teaching, was only 30 per cent as majority of the people in flood-affected areas have migrated.Meanwhile, schools, which were converted into relief camps, are being cleaned. Of 248 civic schools, at least 50 per cent have been fumigated, disinfected while in the remaining, the health care operation is on.Incidentlally, following fumigation in Jeevan Bharati School, a student had to be admitted to the hospital after she complained of giddiness. ``The principal should have closed the school after fumigation as directed by our insecticide officer,'' a senior health official said.Meanwhile, 3000 civic school teachers have launched a fund-raising campaign for flood-affected teachers. A number of teachers living in Ved Road areas and Amroli Housing Society were badly affected in the floods. While slum-dwellers got cash doles, teachers did not get anything, Chudawala pointed out.He said each teacher would donate Rs 100. ``Though we expect to collect more than Rs 3 lakhs, we might approach social organisations for financial assistance'', Chudawala added.
