BY JOHN HOUANIHAU
THE Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development and relevant stakeholders are yet to finalize the date for the re-opening of all schools in the country.
Despite that, the learning continuity programme for students who are currently staying at home due to COVID-19 have started this week with the first program aired on SIBC National Radio broadcaster on Monday, March 7.
In a statement recently, Education Permanent Secretary, Dr. Franco Rodie said they also have digitized materials online targeting Early Childhood, Primary and Secondary students to compliment the radio programmes.
Regarding schools re-opening, on Sunday March 6, Dr Rodie said that with the Ministry’s perspective to protect students from being infected by COVID-19 if they go back to school, the MEHR has submit a ‘School Re-opening Guideline’ for review by the COVID-19 Oversight Committee and approval by the Cabinet.
He added that the document contain a set of conditions for the opening of all schools.
“We have established it and submitted the paper to the oversight Committee to be reviewed who then will submit it to the Cabinet for approval.
He said that one of the main conditions they have established is for all students, teachers, and auxiliary staff of schools to be vaccinated.
“We have proposed for example, from 85- 90 percent of students should be vaccinated before re-opening of schools… If we can agree on that then it will become a condition which have to be met before we can even suggest a date when school should be opened,” said PS Rodie.
Meanwhile a statement from the Government Communication Unit on Wednesday has stated that the COVID 19 Oversight Committee is currently reviewing the ‘School Reopening Guideline’ with the target to slowly reopen schools by April.
“The Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Medical Services to draft the Guidelines which was submitted to the Oversight Committee last week.
“The Oversight Committee has set one and half week’s timeframe for the MEHRD and MHMS to thoroughly discuss finer details of the guidelines.
“Once satisfied, the OSC will submit recommendations for Cabinet approval on when to reopen schools.
“While the government do not wish to see a prolonged school closure, it will not also rush to reopen schools without relevant indicators.
“Let’s not rush to open schools taking into account the prevailing COVID-19 situation in the country. The Committee is however mindful on the long closure of school,” the OSC stated.
“Among challenges faced is the availability of up to date data to guide the reopening guideline as well as vaccination of students between the ages 5 and 11 years old as WHO is still to recommend a vaccine for that age range,” The government statement said on Wednesday.
