Schools will definitely record coronavirus cases - Jinapor

A Senior Lecturer at the University of Education, Winneba (UEW), Dr Ahmed Jinapor, has noted that until a vaccine is developed against coronavirus, there can never been a 100 percent safety against the virus.

He indicated while speaking on a stakeholder dialogue programme themed: ‘Framework for Reopening Schools’ on TV3 and moderated by Alfred Ocansey Thursday that there will definitely be cases in the schools.

Hence, he said, parents and Ghanaians, in general, must brace themselves up for such reports.

“We will definitely have cases in the schools,” he said, adding that “we need to brace ourselves for it.”

“Schools will definitely have to open one way or the other. We can’t have 100 percent safety,” he said.

On the preparedness for the Covid-19 fight on the various campuses, he said most schools lack the needed resources and logistics to fight the disease.

“How many of rural schools even have water to drink and to wash? We need to provide water, good sanitary conditions.”

He also noted that the pandemic has raised the need to enhance technology on the various campuses.

“Technology is very important,” he said.

Anis Haffar, a renowned educationist, teacher, columnist and author, also noted that good personal hygienic practices is key to ending the pandemic.

He also said that the Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) have a major role to play in ensuring that school children are protected to a maximum degree.

“Hygiene is number One. Where we throw rubbish and where we defecate is very important.”

The forum was to discuss President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo’s easing of restrictions announced on Sunday.

President Akufo-Addo while announcing the easing of the restrictions said: “From Monday, 15 June 2020, the decision has been taken, after engagement with the Teacher Unions, whose co-operation I salute, to re-open schools and universities to allow for final-year junior high, senior high and university students to resume classes ahead of the conduct of their respective exit examinations”.

“Indeed, final-year university students are to report to their universities on 15th June; final-year senior high school (SHS 3) students, together with SHS 2 Gold Track students, on 22nd June; and final-year junior high school (JHS 3) students on 29th June. JHS 3 classes will comprise a maximum of thirty (30) students; SHS classes a maximum of twenty-five (25) students; and University lectures will take place with half the class sizes”.

“All final-year students of educational and training institutions, which are being managed by Ministries other than the Education Ministry, are to return to school on 15th June to complete their exit examinations.

“Again, prior to the opening of schools and universities, the Ministry of Education, and the heads of public and private educational institutions, will fumigate and disinfect their institutions.

“Each student, teacher, and non-teaching staff will be provided with re-usable face masks by the Ministry of Education. For the avoidance of doubt, all other educational facilities, private and public, for non-final-year students, will remain closed”.