Delhi government asks students to cover up to avoid dengue

New Delhi: To protect children from dengue, the Delhi government on Tuesday issued directions to schools across the city to ensure that for next one month the students attend schools wearing clothes which fully cover them.

Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia in a directive asked city schools to ensure children are dressed in full-sleeve shirts, full pants and salwar kameez for the next one month to protect themselves from mosquito bites.

Sisodia, who is also the education minister, directed the schools to allow children to wear full-sleeve clothes of any colour, irrespective of whether it is the school uniform or not, a government statement said.

The government will ensure that the uniform's colour does not cause any problem for the children in schools, it said, adding that the order will apply to all schools across the national capital - of the Delhi government, municipal corporation or private schools - aided and unaided.

The decision was taken after Sisodia did a surprise inspection of various schools on Tuesday, along with Environment Minister Asim Ahmed Khan.

He also directed the health authorities to issue challans to schools where mosquito breeding or water-logged areas were found.

Sisodia asked the school principals to activate 'Eco-Clubs' for ensuring that premises are kept clean and there are no areas prone to mosquito-breeding.

The minister also asked the schools to nominate the teachers-in-charge of Eco-Clubs as nodal officers for dengue prevention in schools, directing that funds available for Eco-Club activities should be used to clear and prevent water-logging and similar preventive measures, the statement added.