Over 1.5 billion students globally have been affected by the Covid 19 pandemic.
Whether schools should be re-opened or not is a question that proves to be a little bit difficult to answer. Students and Young ones in Nigeria have been away from school since March this year.
Some schools have been able to successfully leverage online classes to continue the pace of learning but considering the difficulty of some children and young ones in some parts of the country to access e-learning gadgets and accessories make this move to be not so effective.
The school environment is very crucial and vulnerable, little ones can be sometimes ignorant if not properly cautioned, this leaves a place of worry in the minds of parents and guardians.
Is the safety of their children and wards assured if schools re-open? Are there measures set in place to ensure total compliance of covid 19 safety measures in schools?.
The Nigerian schooling system includes primary, secondary and tertiary institution. The primary school pupils are between the age range 0f 5 - 11 years old. A lot of attention should be paid to the primary school system in Nigeria in ensuring that these young ones are well guided on Covid 19 precautionary measures and a safe healthy environment is provided for them.
In Nigeria, the federal government recently released guidelines on the gradual re-opening of schools nationwide with measures that include
- Training of teachers and other personnel on safety hygiene measures
- Establishing a Covid 19 referral system
- Ensure availability of an ambulance and access to a testing/isolation/treatment centre including NCDC helpline and state government facilities
- Ensure adequate water, sanitation and hygiene
- De-congesting classrooms, hostels, worship centred and other spaces
- Encouraging the use of open spaces for gathering and promoting outdoor activities
- Establish staff/ students committee for regular surveillance, monitoring and enforcement of Covid-19 guidelines.
We hope that the guidelines would prove to be effective enough in ensuring the safety of students. Parents and guardians should ensure to teach and train their children and wards on what Covid 19 is and its safety measures.
What do you think?
Are these measures enough to protect Kids and Students?
What else can be done to ensure the continuity of education amidst the pandemic?
Visit Basmall.com.ng for your Covid 19 Safety products
Also read our blog post on " Safety tips for Kids during Covid 19"