ARE BOARDING SCHOOLS READY FOR OPENING MONDAY?

MBABANE –The much- anticipated reopening of schools is set for next week and the burning question is how boarding schools will cope.

During these unfortunate times, the issue of social distancing has become gospel. Should boarding schools minimise the number of boarding pupils? Specifically, the issue is how safety will be ensured in such schools. Head teacher of Mhlatane High School, Mandla Dlamini stated that they had fumigated the boarding facility and would continuouly do so.  This COVID-19 situation calls for an environment that is cleaned thoroughly. “Boarding school is like a home to pupils. Minimising the number of boarders will be difficult,” he said.

He pointed out that a number of his boarding pupils stayed far from the school and, therefore, their viable option was to stay at the hostel. However, a deputy head teacher from a school in the Manzini Region did not share the same sentiments with Dlamini. Instead, he said despite the pandemic, the school would not have a problem in the boarding facility as its enrolment was lower than the hostel capacity. “Students will practise social distancing. We will incorporate new measures in our cleaning like fumigation,” the deputy head teacher said. Also interviewed on the issue was St Mark’s Head teacher Zanele Zwane, who said they would reduce their hostel intake.

Capacity

The normal carrying capacity of the hostel facility is 230 pupils. She stated that this would be done to observe COVID-19 protocols. Zwane said a lot of parents had shown interest, hence the administration had devised a selection strategy where first preference would be given to learners who resided afar. Director of Health Services Dr Vusi Magagula said it was wise for the boarding schools to adhere to the COVID-19 protocols. “Prevention measures should be strictly adhered to,” he said.

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