Via The Telegraph in Calcutta: Schools reel under dengue attack. Excerpt:
Schools are conducting extra classes, holding re-examinations and counselling parents to help students cope with unprecedented absenteeism following the dengue outbreak.
The authorities of St. James’ School said several students had stayed away from class for varying durations because of dengue or the fear of having contracted the disease over the past month. The situation is similar on most other campuses, too.
“Over the past month, I have been signing two-three applications daily from students rejoining classes after recovering from dengue or symptoms associated with the disease,” said Terence Ireland, the principal of St. James’ School.
In several other schools, at least 10-12 students in each class are down with dengue or viral fever.
At Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan and Mahadevi Birla World Academy (formerly Mahadevi Birla Girls’ Higher Secondary School), the authorities will conduct special tests for those who are missing their terminal exams because of illness.
“The assessment for the middle section starts on Friday and I have already received applications from eight or nine students who are suffering from dengue and will not be able to write the papers. We will conduct a test for them later,” said Malini Bhagat, the principal of Mahadevi Birla World Academy.
Bhagat said around 40 students of her school, mostly in the middle section, are infected with the dengue virus. “I have not seen such an outbreak and such absenteeism because of one disease,” she added.
St. James’ School and La Martiniere for Boys will not hold any re-test but have assured the ailing students missing the exams would not be penalised during the annual assessment.
