Engineering students attend offline classes despite COVID surge in Bengaluru

Students rue they are forced to attend offline classes despite a spike in COVID-19 cases and there is no option of attending online classes. 

As per a report published in The Indian Express, engineering students in Bengaluru, who are attending offline classes after the Karnataka government exempted them from COVID-19 restrictions, fear of contracting the COVID-19 infection.  Despite opposition from various colleges across Bengaluru, the state governmen revised the Covid restriction orders and permitted engineering colleges in Bengaluru Urban district to hold offline classes. 

In an order issued by Chief Secretary P Ravikumar, the government permitted all institutions and colleges affiliated to the Visvesvaraya Technological University (VTU) to hold offline classes by strictly adhering to COVID-appropriate behaviour and safety protocols.  

A student from a private engineering college in Bengaluru said around six of his classmates have been found infected with COVID-19 in the past three days and this has led to a fear in the college. “Despite a spike in COVID cases, offline classes have been made mandatory and we don’t have an option of attending online classes,” the student said. 

Students found infected with virus

Many hostellers in various engineering colleges have tested positive, forcing the institutions to close the premises, a few students said. VTU Vice-Chancellor Karisiddappa said the university has asked all colleges to conduct classes in a blended mode since some students have tested positive and there are primary contacts.  “We will review the attendance from time to time and take a call on the matter,” he said. 

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