This was disclosed by Momodou Njie, director of Health Promotion and Education at the Ministry of Health, in a brief interview with The Point last Tuesday.
In March, all schools were closed as a result of declaration of State of Public Health Emergency by the government to curb the spread of Coronavirus pandemic in the country following the first discovered case in the country.
Government relaxed some of its Covid-19 restrictions on 4th June, including return of grade nines to the classroom.
Mr. Njie said among the new partnership plans been already put in place for the reopening of schools for the grade nines will include regular screening of students, teachers, non-academic staff and even food vendors and any people who comes to the schools.
He said before the scheduled opening date all needed facilities such as hand washing, toiletries, thermometers, face masks, water among others will be in place. “Ministry of health will further provide locally made masks at least two pairs per child so that they will be able to use, change and wash,” he said.
Mr. Njie assured that the ministry will continue working with the MoBSE to build/change the capacity of the classrooms, teachers and even those who come to sell in schools including parents on Covid-19. “This will enable them to be aware of the existence of the virus and reasons while MoBSE is opening schools.”
He emphasised that when schools are open, the issue of observing social distancing will be strengthened while there will be rearrangement of students in classrooms to the minimum level of twenty-five students per classroom.
