Ministry of Education implores schools to redouble COVID-19 prevention measures

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The Ministry of Education, Arts and Culture has implored school principals and teachers to redouble their efforts in ensuring that learners wear masks properly and engage in frequent handwashing or sanitising.

According to a media statement issued Monday, an investigation into the transmission of COVID-19 in schools revealed that schools still face challenges in consistently implementing COVID-19 infection prevention and control (IPC) measures. This is despite school authorities’ efforts in ensuring COVID- 19 IPC measures are in place and learners being aware of what is expected of them.

Furthermore, the study revealed that cases in schools are a result of community transmission and that schools are not super-spreading sites, thus further consultation needs to be undertaken before total learner attendance is allowed.

“The ministry, therefore, advises that at the commencement of the second term, schools should continue to operate as they have done before in the manner in which they are comfortable. We reiterate the importance of learners receiving as much face-to-face instruction as possible and be given as much opportunity to learn through interaction and play. Teaching and learning should commence from the first day of term two,” the statement reads.

The ministry urged schools to strictly implement screening with returning hostel boarders and where possible staff members and other learners to contain the spread of infection.

“The Ministry of Health and Social Services has provided a screening tool and it is strongly advisable that all schools should implement this toolkit. Parents are requested to not send their children to school if they have any respiratory symptoms. Educational staff are further encouraged to take the responsibility to get vaccinated for their own protection,” said the statement.

School is set to commence on 26 May 2021 for the second trimester.

Source: Namibia Press Agency