CNN Central News & Network-ITDC India Epress/ITDC News Bhopal: In view of the growing threat of dengue in West Bengal, preparations are being made for a temporary change in school dress codes. State Health Minister Dr. Sharadwat Mukherjee has appealed to schools to allow students to wear clothes that cover more of the body during September, October and November.
Boys advised to wear full pants and full-sleeve shirts: According to the health minister’s suggestion, boys should be allowed to wear full-sleeve shirts and full pants. At the same time, girl students whose school uniform includes a skirt should be permitted to wear clothing that fully covers the legs, such as salwar suits. The Health Department is expected to issue an official circular for government schools regarding these temporary changes. The state government will also request private schools to take similar precautionary steps, although the final decision in private institutions will rest with the respective school boards.
Wearing socks is not enough, minister explains reason: The health minister did not consider the suggestion of wearing knee-length socks sufficient. He said such socks cling to the skin and, because they are thin, mosquitoes can bite through them as well. Therefore, instead of relying only on socks, priority has been advised for clothes that cover as much of the body as possible.
Decision taken keeping dengue peak season in mind: At a Health Department review meeting, several precautionary measures were discussed for the period between July and December, when dengue is feared to spread more widely. The health minister has specifically appealed to teachers, headmasters and principals to allow students to wear full-sleeve and body-covering clothes from September to November.
Meanwhile, the government is continuously monitoring the dengue situation in West Bengal. According to the state government, dengue cases so far this year are lower than last year, but the Health Department has asked that monitoring and prevention measures continue until November. This change in school dress will not be permanent. Its purpose is to provide students greater protection from bites by mosquitoes that spread dengue. However, along with clothing, eliminating mosquito breeding sites and other public health measures are also necessary to prevent dengue.
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