BY ALEX DADAMU
The Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development (MEHRD) has outlined important key requirements regarding the readiness for the opening of schools come May 23.
The Education Ministry in a radio program on Monday, May 9, urged all schools and Education Authorities to take note of the key requirements which will determine the reopening and commencing of classes in schools.
KEY REQUIREMENTS
- Schools must have a COVID response plan and protocols.
- The COVID response plan and protocols must be communicated to the community.
- Only vaccinated teachers and staff will be on school grounds. It is a recommendation that all teachers and staff must be vaccinated before going back to school.
- The social and physical distancing of 2 metres apart from the next person must be observed on school grounds at all times.
- No crowding of classrooms. There could be a split and sift classes to limit the numbers. Desks can be spaced to avoid overcrowding any part of the classroom.
- Classrooms and Learning areas must have proper ventilation meaning they must have good doors, windows and electric fans to enable enough ventilation.
- No large gatherings. Schools are not allowed to entertain large gatherings like assemblies, choir, sporting events, etc.
- Community members’ entry to school grounds must be limited and organized. There must be a limitation to community members’ entrance to school grounds.
- Teachers must wear a face mask when they are in front of the students at all times.
- Students age 8 and above are highly encouraged to wear a mask if available. They are encouraged to wear mask at all times if available.
- Regular hand washing or sanitizing for students and teachers. It is very important that students and teachers must continuously wash or sanitize their hands regularly.
- Regular cleaning, especially touchpoints in the rooms around the school. Regularly clean touchpoints and places like doorknobs, tables etc…
- All service providers like a canteen, market sellers, boat service providers, buses, etc… must be advised that there are COVID precautions also in place for them.
- Management of possible COVID cases. All staff must act immediately if anyone is observed with a COVID like symptoms – cough, high temperature, running nose, the person, whether adult or student is to be isolated as soon as those kinds of symptoms are noticed with any students and the parents and Guidant must be notified and student is to be return home as soon as safe to do so. They must remain away from the school for seven days.
- Schools with secondary students also Plan to phase out returning students. For Example, specific year levels phased or classes with vaccinated students only – then allow students to commence classes as soon as practicable. Very important to plan the phasing of students when they return. This must be planned and organized well.
- Students’ movement between classroom and dormitory must be limited and minimized. Advisable that students remain in one classroom for multiple subjects rather than moving from one classroom to another. Limiting student movement in the classroom is also recommended.
- Boarding Schools must plan to phase student commencement to limit initial crowding in dormitories. Maybe begin with a limited student – one year level first, then the next group to start, so that, certain students are restricted to different dormitory only etc.
- Restrict students from mixing with a broader/nearby community.
- Schools must have facilities and procedures in place to manage students and teachers with COVID symptoms, for example, an isolation and care facility etc… Before they can be sent home or to the nearby health centres.
Meanwhile, according to MEHRD, the Ministry of Health and Medical Services in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and Human Resource division and individual schools is fast-tracking the vaccination programs and make vaccines available for primary school-aged pupils between the ages of 5 to 11 years.
The Education Ministry also reiterated that Education Authorities and schools will get additional support in preparation for a smooth and safe opening.
“In supporting the schools during this COVID 19 crisis in the country, school principals, you are advised to use 60% of the grant on COVID-19 preparedness and response related expenditures.
“The remaining 40% of the grant that you receive should be used for the teaching and learning resources,” MEHRD advised.
