Hyderabad: Amid the fear of Covid19 cases increasing among students, and the possible outbreak of the Omicron variant, the chairman of state council of higher education made it clear on Tuesday that there would be no online classes or a hybrid model and students will have to attend the physical classes compulsorily.
An offline meeting was conducted by the state department of higher education on Tuesday regarding the preparedness for the possible outbreak of the Omicron variant. Vice chancellors of several universities were present.
"In the meeting it was decided that students must attend the physical classes and every college/university must follow all the Covid19 norms," said Osmania VC Professor D Ravinder. He said extra classes can be put on hold if needed, but there would be no major change in the academic schedule. “Everything is now opened by the government.”
"The VCs of various universities were asked to ensure that the staff and students are fully vaccinated and proper distance is maintained among all," said Ravinder.
He said that 98 per cent of his staff and students in Osmania University were vaccinated. The university would conduct another vaccination drive to ensure the rest too are covered. "We have given admissions to those who were fully vaccinated. When it comes to hostels too, admission is allowed only after confirming that vaccination was done by each entrant,” he said.
However, the private colleges in the city are continuing with the Hybrid model and are considering the same for another month.
"The colleges that have hostel facilities are more vulnerable to spread of the virus. Managements too cannot enforce social distance in the hostels round-the-clock. When it comes to private colleges, classes are hardly conducted for four or five hours,and Covid19 protocols are strictly followed," said BP Padala, chairman, Roots Collegium.
Not all universities affiliated to Osmania University are happy with the decision.
Sources from affiliated colleges said, "A decision has to come from the management even though the staff does not want the offline classes to be in full swing. It is very difficult to teach a class of 70 students with the mask on for a whole day," said a professor from St. Francis College.
He added, "Hybrid classes must be considered and we must not invite disasters by ourselves."
