ESWATINI ‘ON TRACK’ FOR SCHOOLS REOPENING

MBABANE – Reopening of schools forms part of the important political decisions and must be based on robust evidence as far as its practicality is concerned.

Eswatini is on the right track in its steps towards the reopening of schools. At least that is what the World Health Organisation (WHO) Country Coordinator, Dr Kevin Makadzange, has observed.

The Ministry of Education and Training is working jointly with that of health to develop a plan that will lead to the opening of schools in the country and the hint is that pupils could start lessons in July.
Dr Makadzange said their role in this joint plan was to offer technical assistance and see to it that the guidelines set by WHO on reopening of schools were met.

Guidelines

He said the guidelines included availability of adequate running water, proper screening of the learners and educators and the recommended sitting arrangements in classrooms.

“It is still early, but so far so good. At least the government still has enough time to work on its plan and we believe by the time the schools reopen, they would have put together all that is necessary and we would give them the green light,” he said.

Makadzange said the good thing about the plan was that the ministry would be staggering the return of pupils to schools, which was the recommendation by the WHO.

“The staggering will help the ministry establish if the plan is working accordingly and to establish if new cases are not escalating rapidly due to the exercise,” he said.

Scientific knowledge alone is not enough to guide policies and practices; it is necessary to link it with other sources of knowledge, particularly from the experience of other countries and the knowledge of professionals in the field. It is for that reason that a comparison was made with countries whose schools have been opened to see what they were doing right.
Taiwan reopened schools on February 25 after extending their winter break by 10 days. After learning of the coronavirus outbreak, Taiwan took swift action to contain its spread.

Taiwan never officially closed schools but extended the winter break by 10 days in February in order to disinfect education facilities, distribute medical supplies and implement WHO procedures for schools with confirmed coronavirus cases.

Schools now conduct temperature checks and some have employed plastic tabletop partitions as an added security measure.
In Japan, the Ministry of Health also released guidelines for schools’ reopening, which include opening windows to ventilate classrooms, maintaining physical distance, checking temperatures daily and wearing face masks.

On April 15, Denmark became the first European country on lockdown to reopen its schools, beginning with children in day-care and Grades I through V. While classes have resumed, schools have placed desks six feet apart and staggered pupil arrivals, among other measures, in order to adhere to the social distancing guidelines.

In South Africa, the South African Department of Basic Education announced that it would begin phasing in the reopening of schools as of June 1. The plan outlines regulations on social distancing, classroom, transport as well as screening and testing regulations. According to the plan, hugging and shaking of hands will not be allowed in schools. Only two learners will be permitted to share a desk.

There will be no sports matches, choral practice, and cloth masks are to be worn by teachers and learners at all times. Extra classes will also be arranged in small groups that maintain social distancing.

This publication reported on Friday that if the government plan falls into place, schools are expected to open on July 1, 2020 beginning with Form Vs. this was revealed during a meeting of the Ministry of Education and Training Task Team on COVID-19 last Wednesday.

Highlights

In the highlights of the meeting to the membership, Eswatini Principals Association (EPA) President Welcome Mhlanga noted the opening of schools, starting with Form Vs due to examinations while Grade VII and Form III classes are expected to follow thereafter.

Besides the impact on learning and the delicate nature of mental health of pupils, closure deprives the most vulnerable pupils of school meals and support from education, health and social staff.

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