COVID-19: Africa Education Watch impresses on gov’t to provide safety kits ahead of reopening

The education think tank, Africa Education Watch says for schools to be able to reopen next year, the government must put in place strict measures to ensure that they observe COVID-19 prevention protocols.

The cabinet is expected to meet in a couple of days to decide on the way forward with regards to the reopening of schools next year.

Speaking to Citi TV, Executive Director of Africa Education Watch, Kofi Asare, says the COVID 19 protocols must be adhered to when school reopens.

“As a nation, our commitment to comply with the protocols is what will make the difference whether we can open schools definitely or not. But, I think we can because we actually operated schools when we were recording an increase in community spread, but we managed the situation until examinations were completed. So we are counting on the government’s readiness to supply necessary kits on time, so we can have a safe reopening”, he said.

Schools have been closed since March 15, 2020, as part of the government’s measures to curtail the spread of the COVID-19.

Educational institutions were subsequently reopened partially for final year students to complete their academic work and also sit for their exit exams and for continuing students to complete their academic terms.

But, the Minister of Information, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, has disclosed that President Akufo-Addo is receiving briefings from the COVID-19 Technical Taskforce on limited school re-openings and will make a firm decision on whether schools should reopen in January by December 30, 2020.

He said the decision will be reached after the cabinet meeting.

Mr. Oppong Nkrumah said “we know that parents are anxious rightly so. Many of us are parents but schools have to be opened in a careful manner so that we do not have a second wave of infection. The president is just about to take a final decision. He continues to gather both the reports and scenarios. By the 30th when the cabinet is done, a firm decision will be taken.”