Dr Kombra: Schools to resume normal classes next Monday

By COURTNEY MIRUPASI

SCHOOLS throughout the country will resume normal classes next Monday.

Education Secretary Dr Uke Kombra announced this today, through the Secretary’s Circular Instruction No.11 of 2021.

“All schools operating under the National Education System, permitted schools and private schools, are to resume classes as of Monday 19^th of April functioning under the New Normal Guidelines,” Dr Kombra said.

“The 4-week isolation period that was declared in March by the Education Minister Jimmy Uguro will conclude this week. This action was taken to ensure that students remained at home, and reduced the risk of contraction and dissemination of COVID-19 within schools.

“Upon resumption to the school year, all institutions are to ensure that the ‘New Normal Guidelines’ are adhered to when students return to classes to avoid, control and minimize the spread of corona virus,” Dr Kombra said.

The ‘New Normal Guidelines’ to be adhered to as per the circular includes:

1. All students must wear face masks at all times in and out of school.
2. All teachers and the Ancillary Staff of the schools must wear face masks at all times.
3. Schools are encouraged to maintain social distancing at all times.
4. Hand sanitizers and or hand washing facilities must be provided in the staff rooms for all teachers to sanitize their hands every morning.
5. Any student or staff who is sick having flu-like symptoms are advised to stay home and do not attend classes. For any sick student or staff, schools must contact your local health officers to carry out swabbing and testing of the sick students and staff without delay to prevent transmission to others.

Dr Kombra said: “The protocols have been tailored to suit the context of schools, but possess the same core functions of the New Normal Protocols currently in place around the country.”

“With the surge in COVID-19 cases these past weeks, it comes as a surprise that the Education Department has gone ahead with resuming classes. While students and staff are now required by legal direction under the circular, there is still a high risk of community transmission.”

Secretary Kombra urged for assistance and cooperation to ensure that schools continue under the ‘New Normal Protocols’ and end the year smoothly.