Responding to the unfortunate turn out of events in regards to the Corona Virus (COVID-19) escalating positive cases and deaths as reported by the Presidential Task Team, the Ministry of Basic Education (MoBE) has decided to put up some compliance measures in schools to try curb the spread of the virus in schools.
According to the report as given by Professor. Mosepele Mosepele- the Deputy Chairperson for the Presidential COVID-19 Task Team, the deaths related to COVID-19 has risen from forty-eight (48) to one hundred and twenty-four (124) from the 4th of January 2021 to the 25th of January 2021. That means seventy-six (76) people succumbed to COVID-19 in a space of twenty-one (21) days- this means an average of three (3) to four (4) deaths per day.
A Memorandum from the Permanent Secretary (PS) of the Ministry of Basic Education advised the following compliance measures in schools;
Physical meetings should be avoided by Regions and Schools at this challenging time, and other means of communication should be used. Where possible virtual meetings may be held.
Shifting must be implemented where class sizes are large to ensure social distancing.
There should be no school assemblies
Teachers must be allowed to work from home to decongest staffroom/workrooms.
Schools should ensure learners do not crowd during break, meal times, and when they wait for their transport after school.
Schools and PTAs (Parents and Teachers Associations) should work together to ensure learners’ compliance to COVID-19 regulations even outside school premises.
Bridget P. John. PS, MoBE
However, in light of the escalating COVID-19 cases the public has through many platforms, especially radios and social media, advised that schools should be closed temporarily. On the other hand, the ministry is trying to ensure that learners don’t remain way behind of schedule, especially that schools were closed for a long time during the first lockdown.
