Kerala CM directs education officials to counsel flood-affected children

Kerala and Tamil Nadu Fire Force personnel carry children on their shoulders through flood waters during a rescue operation in Annamanada village in Thrissur district of Kerala. (Photo: AFP)


Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan directed state education authorities to provide counselling assistance to children affected by the devastating floods in the state.

The CM’s announcement came on the day schools across the flood-ravaged state reopened following the end of Onam vacation.

“The Director of Public Instruction has directed all Deputy Directors of Education to ensure that counselling help is available for the children affected by floods,” Vijayan said on Wednesday.

On Tuesday, the CM had said that the government was sparing no efforts in opening all the schools.

“However, there are some problems in areas like Kuttanad and Aluva in Kochi, which is expected to be sorted out in a day or two,” said Vijayan said.

Schools in Paravur and Aluva in Ernakulam and parts of Alappuzha district will remain closed for three more days because the buildings currently serve as shelter for flood victims.

Meanwhile, the Central Bureau of Secondary Education (CBSE) said that it will provide digital mark sheets to students who have lost their documents such as mark sheets, migration and pass certificates in the floods.

There are over 1,300 schools that are affiliated to the CBSE in Kerala.

The unprecedented floods killed 474 people in the state, PTI reported citing data released by Disaster Management, Kerala.