Month: August 2020

SUMMARY OF COVID-19 HEALTH BULLETIN

Total Active Cases = 424.
Cured & Discharged = 1225.
Cumulative Total = 1652.
Total Covid-19 Positive Cases Reported today as per IDSP Report = 25 (21 on RTPCR, and 4 on Rapid Antigen Testing).
Break-up of positive cases on RTPCR:
3 from Namin area.
4 from Smileland area.
14 from Zuventus Healthcare Limited(employees).
Break- up of positive cases on Rapid Antigen Testing:
1 from lower Jitlang area.
1 from Shantinagar, Singtam
2 from Dentam area, West Sikkim.
It was also informed in the bulletin that 4th COVID -19 death is reported in the State. A 50 years old male from Singtam Chisopani area, who was tested positive at District Hospital Singtam was referred to STNM hospital on 27th August. He was suffering from comorbidities and succumbed to the virus today.

West District gear up to start smart classes in all secondary & Senior Secondary Schools

Gyalshing, 31st August(IPR): One day training on virtual classes and digital education initiated by District Administration, West, funded by NITI AAYOG and REC Foundation was conducted at Zilla Bhavan, conference hall today.
The training had the presence of District Collector cum Chairperson(NITI AAYOG), Shri. Karma R. Bonpo accompanied by Shri. K. C Gyatsho, Addl. Director, West and trainees from different schools.
The aim to introduce digital education is to keep the classroom connected to today’s world and yet retain the human touch. It enables educational institutions to harness the power of technology to create virtual classrooms and make interactive and collaborative experiences available to remote learners.
Enlightening the gathering, Shri. Bonpo deliberated on the significance of virtual learning facilities in this pandemic situation which has affected the education sector of the state adversely. He expressed that ongoing COVID – 19 pandemic has made the people realize the importance of virtual educational facilities. He informed that all the educational institutions from primary to higher secondary schools of West Sikkim would be included in Digital educational programme in phase wise basis and added that internet service facilities would be availed free of cost. The higher secondary and secondary level schools of West Sikkim will be included in the first and second phase of the programme. DC further shared that west district administration has a plan to set up a digital studio very soon at district administrative centre and the studio will be helpful to broadcast educational content for the students following various streams of education.
He stressed for proactive roles the schools’ heads and teachers have to play to ensure greater leverage of the technological facilities available in the world today. DC maintained that digital system of learning would be of great help to the students as they would have a revisit to the portal system if they missed the online classes, educational content downloading facilities, video conference facilities with teachers and others. He further shared that it was because of the state government’s commitment towards the education sector, the virtual way of educational facilities are being introduced in the state. DC maintained that introduction of the digital way of education in the west district is still in the experimental stage and more knowledge and experience will be gained in other stages of implementation of the programme.
The resource person, Ms. Peli Hangma Subba sensitized the representatives present in the programme on the effective use of technology and operational methods regarding devices provided to various schools with an objective of accessing the virtual learning system. She further informed that an online application named ‘Dooth’ which the state education department has decided to utilize for digital education will enhance the online teaching facility saying that the proposed application has more features to enable the online system of learning with ease. Mr. Tashi Chewang another resource person in brief highlighted on the new technology and enlightened on various facilities to enable the online learning system either through live video streaming, facilities for video conference, recording and sharing facilities.
As per the information, the devices access to online learning facilities have been installed at seventeen Senior secondary schools of West Sikkim and the teaching faculties of the schools included in the first phase of digital programme have been given basic information on utilization of available technology. Secondary and primary level schools will also be included under the initiative respectively.

Chief Secretary Shri S. C. Gupta chaired the State Task Force meeting

Gangtok, Aug 31 (IPR): Chief SecreEducation Departmenttary Shri S. C. Gupta chaired the State Task Force Meeting today to discuss the future course of action in view of the new guidelines for Unlock 4 issued by the Government of India.
The Task Force discussed in detail about issues such as the guidelines for the phased opening of educational institutions, movement of vehicles on an odd-even stipulation, a period of quarantine, and the feasibility of Rapid Antigen Testing.
It was decided that the Health Department will prepare a detailed SOP on inter-state movement, testing and the period of quarantine for various category of people entering the State.
It was informed in the meeting that the Education Department will issue a revised Circular regarding the attendance of teaching and non-teaching staff in consonance with the latest guidelines issued by the Government of India.
The meeting was attended by Principal Secretaries, Secretaries, DGP, and other senior officers of the State Government.

Press release from Education Department

Gangtok, August 31: The Department of Education, after a decision taken at the State Task Force Meeting chaired by the Chief Secretary, announces that all educational institutions in Sikkim shall continue to remain closed till September 30, 2020 or till any such further orders.
Earlier, instructions were issued for the heads of schools, colleges and educational institutes, professors, teachers, and all other non-teaching staff members to attend their workplaces regularly from September 01, 2020 for continuity of digital and offline classes from their workplaces, support the home-schooling initiative and assist in upkeep and maintenance of institutions. It was also mentioned that reopening of schools, colleges and educational institutions for regular activities will depend upon the directives/advisory of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), Government of India.
Now that the Ministry of Home Affairs has issued guidelines vide Order No. 40-3/2020-DM-I (A) on August 29, 2020, following instructions are issued for all educational institutions in the State which shall be applicable only to the areas and persons outside the Containment Zones:
Heads of institutions are advised to make proper and rational arrangement for the deployment of teaching and non-teaching staff members to supervise, monitor and regulate activities like online learning, offline learning, home-schooling, upkeep and maintenance of the institutions from September 01, 2020 purely on requirement basis. All safety protocols must necessarily be observed.
However, 50% of the teaching and non-teaching staff members should attend the institutions from September 21, 2020, which may be arranged either on an alternative basis or any such convenient arrangement as may be deemed fit by the respective institutes. Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) which will be issued by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), Government of India shall be applicable for such attendance.
Students of classes 9 to 12 may be permitted to visit their schools on a voluntary basis, for taking guidance from their teachers from September 21, 2020 subject to the written consent of their parents/ guardians and SOP being issued by MoHFW.
These instructions shall not be applicable to those areas during the time when containment continues and to those educational institutions which are acquired/requisitioned by the District Administration under the Disaster Management Act, 2005 until de-notified and sufficiently sanitized.
Press release issued by:
(Bhim Thatal)
Director (Elementary Education), SPD (Samagra Shiksha)
Nodal Officer for Public Relations and Publicity
Education Department

Press release from Sports and Youth Affairs Department

Gangtok, August 31: The 1st online training-cum competition for Boxing (Shadow boxing, Straight plank hold, Bend and reach hold) and Football (dribbling and juggling) for 15 days were virtually inaugurated by Shri Kuber Bhandari, Secretary, Sports and Youth Affairs Department on 30th August. He was accompanied by senior Officers and Coaches of the Department and joined by International players and National coaches.
The boxing classes will be held under the supervision of Smt. Pratima Gooroong, State Boxing Coach and the Football classes will be organised under the supervision of Shri Milan Ranpal, Deputy Director Sports and Youth Affairs Department, and Shri Suren Chettri, Football coach.
The department has also invited boxing coaches and football coaches with higher international achievements so that the aspiring players from different corners of the State can experience world class training from them and also the coaches can upgrade and hone their coaching skills. These international players and coaches also attended the inaugural session and encouraged the athletes, and will be taking online sessions.
In boxing, the following coaches attended:
1.Dronacharya Awardee Shri Blas Iglesias Fernandes, originally from Cuba who has worked with the Elite Men Indian Boxing team for more than 20 years.
2. Shri. Ramanand, International Boxer and AIBA 1 star coach with 13 yrs of Coaching experience, wherein he spent 8 years with Elite Men Team.
3. Shri. Vijay Kumar Sharma (SAI boxing coach)AIBA 2 star coach also the Chief Coach of Junior Men Team.
4. Shri. Hardeep Singh international boxer and AIBA 1star Coach from Chandighar.
In Football, the Department has invited Shri Feroz Sheriff who is an international player and coach. He has represented India in numerous prestigious tournaments like Asian Championship, World Cup Qualifier, Nehru Cup. He is AFC “A” licence holder and Level 3 GK Coach. He has played many tournaments with Bhaichung Bhutia of Sikkim.
There are 167 young athletes undergoing this online training-cum-competitions.

Hon’ble Governor attended the National Executive Meet of Akhil Bharatiya Vaish Federation

Gangtok, August 30: Hon’ble Governor, Shri Ganga Prasad attended the National Executive Meet of Akhil Bharatiya Vaish Federation through virtual mode.
Hon’ble Governor delivered the inaugural address of the meet which was organized by the Akhil Bharatiya Vaish Maha Sammelan.
The virtual meeting was presided over by the National President of Akhil Bharatiya Vaish Federation and former MP, Dr. Girish Kumar Singhi.
During the meet, the Governor urged everyone to work for the development of the society and country at large. He also appealed to follow COVID-19 protocol to win the battle against the pandemic.
The meeting was attended by prominent people of the Vaish community where several issues like social, economic and other topics related to the Vaish community were discussed upon.
(Press release from Raj Bhawan)