We Have Offline Classes Despite Students Testing Positive in Bengaluru

Video Producer: Maaz Hasan
Video Editor: Purnendu Pritam
Illustrator: Deeksha Malhotra

The Omicron variant of the coronavirus is spreading across the country with devastating speed and it hasn’t spared our college either.

On 6 January, 20 students staying at boys hostel of our college, JSS Academy Of Technical Education (JSSATE), tested positive for COVID-19 triggering panic amongst us.

Soon more students were found infected with the virus. Both the government and our college administration seemed concerned by the spread.

“In the boys’ hostel, there is a common washroom which has not been cleaned for many days, and both COVID-negative and positive guys are using it. In the girls' hostel, a girl tested positive. So, we asked the warden to conduct the tests. Both the principal and the warden are not ready to conduct any tests (in the hostel). They say if you have symptoms, get it tested yourselves.”

Student, JSSATE

Since the state government has allowed engineering colleges to continue with offline classes, our college is carrying on with them for first and second year students.

“They are conducting online classes for third and fourth year as per VTU (Visvesvaraya Technological University) rules which allow online classes since their syllabus is 80% complete. But for the first and second year, they are not conducting online classes.”

Student, JSSATE

We are very scared that it is just a matter of time before all of us would be infected with the virus because we see no COVID protocol being followed in the campus.

With so many students around, one can hardly expect social distancing to be followed.

At both (girls’ and boys’) hostels, (COVID) SOPs are not being followed and the same happens in the college. So, we are scared in the college and hostel, and we are not safe seeing how the things stand.

Student, JSSATE

We request the college administration to take a look at the grave situation that has arrived at our college campus and switch to online mode for classes and examinations.

The Quint has reached out to the college administration. Their response is awaited. Story would be updated once we have response(s).

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