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New Delhi: With the onset of monsoon season in West Bengal, the threat of dengue has started increasing once again. Especially in the capital Kolkata and surrounding areas, the beginning of the morning is not limited to children's school uniforms and books, rather parents are seen busy in taking out children from mosquito nets and applying mosquito repellent. The continuous dengue cases emerging in the state have alerted the administration. In view of this situation, the state government has taken a big and practical decision and suggested to relax the prescribed school uniform from September to November. The direct objective of this initiative is to protect innocent children from dengue mosquitoes which are active during morning and day time.

Decision taken in the meeting of the health department

This decision is not part of any sudden plan, but is the result of a high-level review meeting held at 'Swasthya Bhawan', the headquarters of the Health Department. In the meeting, senior officials discussed in detail the current spread of dengue and the risks in the coming months. After the review, it was revealed that children can be kept safe from this seasonal disease without any hindrance in their education, provided a little extra caution is taken at the level of clothing. On this basis, State Health Minister Dr. Shardwat Mukherjee has appealed to the principals, teachers and parents to rise above the formality of school uniform and give priority to the health of children in the coming three months.

Wearing socks will not provide protection

In the name of protection from dengue, many schools had already instructed children to come wearing socks up to their knees. The Health Minister has declared this method completely inadequate from safety point of view. He says that such socks stick completely to the skin, which mosquitoes can easily penetrate and bite. Real protection is possible not with socks, but with loose-fitting clothes that cover the entire body.

New instructions will be issued

The government is soon going to issue a formal circular regarding this relaxation. Under the new system, boys in government and aided schools will be allowed to wear full shirts and full pants. At the same time, girl students who regularly come to school wearing skirts will be able to use salwar suits or pants that cover their legs completely. The state government has also requested the managements of private schools to implement this system in their campuses. However, in private institutions, the final decision will remain with their own administrative boards, but the government hopes that all institutions will support this initiative keeping in mind the health of the children.