Students from Kerala who are studying in colleges outside the state are busy getting ready to leave as onsite learning is likely to begin in most campuses. Colleges in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu had already opened to conduct exams. Meanwhile, classes would resume in colleges in Telengana from 1 September onwards. Students are trying to reach the colleges as soon as possible, before the respective state governments order mandatory quarantine for students from Kerala, owing to the worsening COVID-19 situation here.
Ticket to Bengaluru and Mangaluru
The colleges in Benagaluru and Mangaluru in Karanataka are preferred by most number of students from Kerala. The classes for final year students had begun earlier. Now, the classes would resume for the rest of the students. A negative RTPCR test report is mandatory for them to attend classes. In most places, quarantine is not necessary. However, the government is considering making quarantine mandatory for the students. Moreover, the students should present the certificate which proves that they have received at least the first dose of vaccine. Meanwhile, Manipal University has made it mandatory for the students to quarantine in their hostels for a week before attending the classes.
The colleges in Mangaluru have scheduled off line classes in the morning session while the online sessions would be held in the afternoon. Practical sessions would be conducted in the morning. Students would be admitted in batches for the practical sessions. Meanwhile, classes for medical students had begun months ago. They attend classes while working shifts in the hospital.
Certificate matters
Earlier, students had to make sure that they have a confirmed ticket before they boarded the train to other states. However, now, a negative RTPCR test report is mandatory. In the railway stations in Karnataka, inspections are conducted in trains coming from Kerala. The passengers should take the RTPCR test 72 hours prior to travel. Besides the travel expenses, the students should bear the expenses for the test too.
Flying abroad
Classes in colleges in Canada would begin in September. However, the government has denied entry for Indian nationals until 21 September. Lots of students are waiting to fly to Canada to attend various courses. They should, however, attend the online sessions until passengers from India are allowed to fly directly to Canada. Classes in most of the US universities and colleges also start in September.
Regional colleges
As colleges in other states are gearing up to resume classes, students studying in various colleges in Kerala are worried about missing out on onsite learning. Students are unsure about the reopening of colleges owing to the pandemic situation in the state. Educational institutions remain closed in Kerala as the pandemic cases do not show any sign of decline. Moreover, most college students haven’t received at least the first dose of the Covid jab.