Just before it closed for Diwali holidays on Friday last week, four students of St Joseph’s Convent Girls High School, Khadki, were sent home after they complained of fever, headache and vomiting. Through the week, at least 20 students reported sick and had to be sent home. On September 29, the school had to call in parents of as many as 15 students who reported sick.

The incidents of children falling ill began after the swine flu hit the town and has continued even as the HINI cases have subsided. Shaken by the rising health problem among students, the school administration has now decided to take a number of measures to boost the immunity of the children. For starters, it has planned to change the timing of the school from 7.30 am to 9 am.

The second decision is not to allow vendors selling “junk” food outside the school gates. Thirdly, the school administration will make a space available for a couple of fruit vendors inside the school premises. “We want to ensure that our children stop eating junk food. We will only allow those fruit vendors who are ready to sell fruits like oranges, apples, chikoos at subsidised rates,” principal sister Johanna said.

The early morning timing of the school has been under severe criticism from parents. Most parents have been complaining that children have to get up as early as 5 in the morning and after returning home complain of uneasiness, headache and fatigue. “They have to carry food prepared at 6 in the morning. By afternoon, it becomes cold and loses taste. My daughter always looked in a bad shape when she returned home. But I could do little as the school refused to change timings,” said M Wilson, mother of an ex-student of the school.

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