Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has said that the government has started the campaign in the new academic year as a precaution.
Greeting students in a Facebook post on Tuesday evening, Mr Vijayan said that with schools reopening after the summer vacation on Wednesday, there is a need for safe learning when students arrive at schools following the uncertainty caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. There was a need to ensure atmosphere and transport.
The campaign will focus on common places where children interact, their transportation, programs and safety measures against substance abuse.
Boards and flags obstructing the movement of traffic should be removed. Warning signs and messages should be installed by the traffic cell near the schools. Parking facility should be ensured when the school reopens. Random parking of vehicles should not be allowed.
The Chief Minister said that the guidelines regarding the number of children in the school buses and the fitness of the vehicles should be followed. Shops around the schools should be inspected that banned substances and intoxicants are being sold.
Trees or their branches posing a threat to the safety of the students should be cut down. It should be ensured that the wires or lines of the electric poles do not hang down and put life at risk.
Health Minister Veena George reminded the students that the state is yet to get rid of COVID-19, and hence they, along with teachers and parents, should not skip the safety measures. Children should wear masks in school and while going to school. Those who are ill should stay at home. They should also avoid interacting with older people or sick people in the home.
Students should avoid touching eyes, nose or mouth without cleaning their hands. Hands should be washed with soap after reaching home from school.
Students over the age of 12 should get the vaccine. With the onset of monsoon, the shool complex should be kept dry and vector-control measures adopted. Only boiled water should be used for drinking. Hands should be washed after using the toilet.
School teachers and other school staff should have received two doses of the vaccine. In case of any physical or mental health issue, contact the nearest health worker or Disha helpline on 104, 1056, 0471 2552056, 2551056, or e-sanjeevani.