2021 academic year begins tomorrow
View(s):Education Ministry has asked school authorities, parents and students to strictly adhere to guidelines issued jointly by the Health and EducationMinistries as schools (except schools in the Western Province and isolated areas) are preparing to re-open tomorrow.
The Education Ministry asked for school premises to be cleaned prior to the re-opening and ensure that parents and past pupils association members are involved in getting schools prepared under strict health and hygiene conditions. School principals were also instructed to get the assistance of the area Public Health Inspector. Depending on the risk situation schools can restrict the intake of students or allocate days for student groups. The Ministry also said schools should ensure that senior students wear face masks, while students in primary classes maintain physical distance. The temperature of students and staff would be checked at the entrances and random checking of temperature would be required during school hours.
Teaching staff would have to monitor during intervals to make sure students do not mingle or share food and water. Sports and extra-curricular activities should be conducted maintaining physical distance.
Schools also would have to collect students’ emergency contacts and keep important numbers in the office. If a child was found to be sick, they should be confined to the sick room and act on the PHI’s instructions.
The school development committees would be required to work with the principal with regard to implementing anti-COVID programme in the schools. The school COVID committee should periodically meet and discuss improvements and concerns.
The Education Ministry reiterated the importance of re-opening of schools, to ensure mental health wellbeing of the country’s student population.Parents were also requested to avoid sending sick children to school – this includes children afflicted with a common cold.
“If any member in your family is undergoing quarantine, avoid sending your child to school. Avoid sending children from an isolated area to school located in an area not under lockdown,” a Ministry official said.
Parents were adviced to have school supplies, water bottles, bags, pencil boxes cleaned, disinfected, washed and dried in the sun. Uniforms should be cleaned on a daily basis and children should wash as soon as they return home. Parents were also encouraged to send food prepared from home and to avoid canteen food and they were told to advice their children on safety measures, when returning home.
“When using private transport, see that the vehicles are adhering to health guidelines in transporting children. If there are concerns, contact the school principal,” the official said.
Students were also advised to get used to hand washing as a practice within the school premises and to avoid sharing food and water with fellow students.
“Avoid staying in groups in school and after school. Do not unnecessarily touch objects lying around the school. Keep washing your hands all the time. Go home directly after school and make sure safe health guidelines are followed on your way home,” the official added.
(Bandula Nonis)