TIG Post

Tag: schools

  • Esiama Community Nursing Training College strictly adheres to safety health protocols

    A tour by GhanaWeb to some schools in the Ellembele district, in the Western Region after the resumption of all final year students of public and private tertiary institutions, showed that schools are adhering to the safety protocols put in place by the government.

    A visit to the Esiama Community Nursing Training College showed that management of the school have put in place strict measures to prevent the spread of the deadly COVID-19 among students.

    During the visit, GhanaWeb’s correspondent observed that some Veronica buckets, liquid soaps, paper tissues, and alcohol-based hand sanitizers have been provided at all entry points in the college.

    It was also noticed that four trainees are occupying a room that formerly accommodated eight (8) trainees. At the lecture halls, trainees were seen nose masks and also observing social distancing protocols by a 1-meter interval.

    The college has set up an Isolation Centre by using one of their rooms to help respond swiftly to Coronavirus disease cases.

    Outlining the Coronavirus health safety protocols put in place to GhanaWeb, Mrs. Cecelia Andoh Boame, the Principal of the college, disclosed that before the president’s announcement of resuming the partial learning activities, the college had started preparation ahead.

    She explained that the college through its internal arrangement managed to buy five infrared thermometer guns to take the temperatures of the students and thirteen Veronica buckets.

    “We have bought 5 thermometer guns, we have 13 Veronica buckets plus liquid soaps, we have bought hand sanitizers, we have used our school clothing to sew nose masks and gave each trainee three, these nose masks are locally made.”

    The Principal said every morning they educate the trainees about the Coronavirus and how to observe personal hygiene and other protocols.

    “Every morning we educate them about the virus, what they should do, how to wash their hands, wearing of nose masks, and also to observe social distancing protocols”.

    She said the government has directed the college not to allow the trainees to go out indiscriminately and emphasized that any trainee who would flout this directive would be punished.

    “Government has directed us not to allow any student to go out and I have asked them to adhere to the directive but if anyone wants to go out should seek permission from me and if you use own power and flout this directive, the law will deal with you”.

    She concluded by saying, “We have told our learners that right now we are not in normal time so they can’t do their things on their own as it was done previously so have asked them to wear the nose mark always and ensure social distancing everywhere in the campus, washing of hands should be frequent”.

     

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Private schools in Tema record better results than public schools in BECE

    Private basic schools in the Tema Metropolis in 2019 recorded better results in the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) than their counterparts in public schools as 87 per cent of their 1,800 candidates passed.

    Public schools in the Metropolis on the other hand, recorded an unimpressive 56 per cent pass out of the 2,014 candidates they presented.

    The Metropolis, according to statistics presented by Mr Felix Mensah Nii Anang-La, Tema Metropolitan Chief Executive, at a General Assembly Meeting, revealed that the area achieved a total of 71 per cent in the 2019 BECE.

    The data showed that 1,474 candidates made up of 726 boys and 748 girls from the private schools passed while a total of 1,011 candidates comprising of 453 boys and 558 girls from public basic schools passed.

    Mr Anang-La said 55 per cent of boys in public schools passed the BECE whereas 45 per cent failed while 58 per cent of girls in public schools passed whereas 42 per cent also failed.

    “This means that the 45% boys and 42% girls who failed their examination may not have the opportunity to benefit from the Free Senior High School Policy. We must do everything possible to make sure that this unacceptable result is not repeated”.

    He said, to improve the situation in subsequent exams, the TMA had instituted a number of mitigating strategies such as intensifying supervision teaching and learning process at the basic schools, provision of learning materials.

    He also encouraged the participation of parents in school development programmes as well as the need for the prevention of pupils from unproductive activities such as the patronage of gaming centres.

     

    Source: GNA

  • ADASEC reopens with 31 students

    Only 31 students, made up of 15 boys and 16 girls out of 206 final year students of Adaklu Senior High School at Adaklu Waya reported when schools reopened on Monday, June 22.

    Mr. Batholomew Kudzo Hosu, Headmaster of the School told the Ghana News Agency in a telephone interview on Tuesday.

    He said management of the School was leaving no stone unturned for the safety of the students and appealed to parents to encourage wards to report at the School for classes to resume.

    The Headmaster said temperatures of all students who arrived were taken before they were provided with face masks and sanitizers.

    Mr. Hosu said management had decided to reduce each class size to 25 to ensure social distancing, adding that the School had no problem with classrooms.

    He said teachers teaching lower classes had been mobilised to assist in teaching the finalists.

    The Headmaster warned that management of the School would not entertain visitors, and urged the students to obey all rules and regulations of the School and also observe directives on the Covid-19 pandemic.

    Mr. Hosu was hopeful that all the students would return to school before the week ended for classes to resume.

     

    Source: GNA

  • Government commended for absorbing registration fees of final year students

    The Western North Regional Communication Directorate of the New Party (NPP) has commended the government for absorbing the registration fees for Senior High School final year students.

    President Akufo-Addo in his 12th address on measures to contain COVID-19 to the state announced absorbing the registration fees of 313,837 students from 1,167 schools across the country with am amount of Gh¢75.4 million.

    The Regional Communication Directorate in a statement issued and signed by Mr Felix Foster Ackaah Communication Officer and copied the GNA indicated that the decision to absorb the registration fees of final students was welcoming news since it would ease the financial burden on parents and guardians especially those from Cocoa growing areas in this trying times.

    “We commend you and your government for this decision but are not surprised you have shown leadership by investing in the youth of this country who are the future leaders of the country”.

    The statement mentioned the introduction of free Senior High School policy and restoration of teacher and nursing training allowance as a great commitment by the government in the education sector.

    The statement further indicated that over 850 tertiary students from the region benefited from the government scholarship which has never happened in the history of the country.

    The release encouraged Ghanaians especially the youth to vote massively for the NPP in the December polls to bring more innovative policies aimed at brightening the future of the youth.

     

    Source: GNA

  • Coronavirus: Government has supplied all our needs as schools reopen GNAT

    The National President of the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), Philipa Larson says the government has supplied all necessary safety materials as schools reopen in the wake of COVID-19.

    According to her, GNAT made specific demands before accepting to cooperate on the decision to reopen schools and the government has satisfied all those requirements.

    Senior High Schools are reopening for final year students and second-year Gold Track students from today.

    Some 800,000 students, teachers, and non-teaching staff are expected back in schools.

    Some have expressed concerns Ghana is not in the clear over COVID-19 and the reopen could spark a second wave of infections.

    Speaking to Francis Abban on the Morning Starr, the GNAT President said teachers are confident of the measures put in place to protect them and the students.

    “I must say that as I speak to you, everything we asked to be put in place has been done. By 9 am or 10 the schools will receive all the items we requested. Everything has been supplied because the president wants all the children to be protected,” she said.

    Meanwhile, President Akufo-Addo has assured that his government will protect the over 800, 000 final year Senior High School students who return to school on Monday, June 22, 2020.

    In an address to the Nation on Sunday, June 21, 2020, President Akufo-Addo stated that all Senior High Schools across the country have been fumigated and currently safe for students.

    He added that adequate PPE, hand sanitizer and Thermometer guns will be distributed to all schools to protect teachers and students.

    “My government is determined to protect the lives of the over 800 who will be returning to school tomorrow, I will be the last person to put their lives in danger.”

    The President, however, added that students and teachers must continue to observe social distancing, hand washing and observe all the health protocols.

     

    Source: Starr FM

  • Schools in Hohoe are safe for reopening – GES

    Madam Gladys Amenya, the Hohoe Municipal Director of Education, has assured that second-cycle and basic schools in the Municipality are safe and prepared for reopening to final year students for their exit examinations.

    She said Zoomlion Ghana Limited had undertaken fumigation exercises in all schools and that though the Directorate was yet to receive nose masks and other personal protective equipment from the government as at the time of the interview, most schools had put safety measures in place.

    Madam Amenya said all schools would strictly observe “no mask no entry” into classrooms and other offices.

    The Municipal Director said there were available classroom blocks that would enable schools to observe social distancing protocols and hinted that monitoring teams would ensure strict adherence to the measures.

    When GNA visited the Likpe Secondary School it met a staff meeting as part of preparations for reopening, while a fumigation exercise had already taken place.

    Madam Menu Mawuli Rose, Headmistress of the School, told the GNA that a total of 330 students were expected to resume for academic activities, requiring some more space for social distancing.

    Mr Christian Ablormeti, Headmaster of Akpafu Secondary Technical School, said the school benefited from a fumigation exercise and had held meetings with staff ahead of the resumption of academic activities.

    He said the School had provided handwashing materials to ensure adherence to that protocol.

    The case is not different at the Evangelical Presbyterian (E.P) Technical Vocational Institute in Alavanyo but a rainstorm, which ripped off the Mechanical and Electrical workshop of the Institute is likely to affect practical lessons for the final year students.

    Mr Christian Kwame, Principal of the Institute, said bungalows, dormitories and food store of the Institute were affected with some mattresses and about 86 bags of rice soaked with rainwater.

    Mr Andrews Teddy Ofori, the Hohoe Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), called on management and staff of schools to ensure strict adherence to all safety protocols and precautionary measures when students returned for the academic work to keep students and staff safe.

    Source: GNA

  • Dormitories to be used as isolation centres as final-year and second-year SHS students return

    President Nana Akufo-Addo has directed that one dormitory block in each senior high school should be used as an isolation centre as final year SHS, second-year students return on Monday, June 22, 2020.

    Delivering his 12th address on measures to fight the coronavirus in Ghana, he said the isolation centres will serve as holding places if a student falls sick from the virus.

    “Each SHS has been mapped to a health facility, and care will be provided to the sick by nurses assigned to these schools,” he revealed.

    The students are scheduled to return to school today after a three-month break following the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic in the country.

    Under enhanced new protocols to keep the students safe, the President announced that a maximum of 25 students must be admitted to a class.

    Also, day students in schools with boarding facilities will automatically become boarding students.

    There will be no sporting activities and the wearing of face masks is mandatory for both students, teachers and non-teaching staff.

    “Through the National Food and Buffer Stock Company, enough food supplies have been distributed to all schools. Government is also making available 350 buses and 840 pickup vehicles to Senior High Schools that did not receive vehicles in 2016,” he announced.

    Additionally, he announced that the government will absorb the WASSCE examination fees of all the 313,837 SHS 3 students who will sit for the exam beginning in August this year.

    A budget of GH¢75.4 million has been set aside for the initiative.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • No mass gathering, but religious activities permitted Akufo-Addo to SHS students

    Final and second year students who are returning to school Monday have been cleared to undertake religious activities despite strict protocols to prevent them from contracting the deadly novel coronavirus.

    Mass gathering and sporting activities have already been banned and visitors will also not be allowed to the schools during the six weeks that final year and gold track students will be on campus.

    Addressing the nation on measures taken by the government to combat the spread of the virus in schools, President Akufo-Addo said students will however be permitted to hold religious activities like church service while on campus.

    “There will be no mass gatherings and no sporting activities. Religious activities, under the new protocols, will be permitted. Social distancing and the wearing of face masks are obligatory in our schools,” he stated.

    Final and second year gold track students in Senior High Schools are to return to school on Monday, June 22 for six weeks during which the final years will prepare to sit for their WASSCE examination.

    It will also be for the gold track students to complete their final semester to be at par with their colleagues in the green track system.

    But a maximum of 25 students will be permitted in each class.

    All day students in schools with boarding houses will be resident in these boarding houses, but day students, in schools without boarding facilities, will commute from home, and will be required to adhere to enhanced hygiene protocols.

    President Akufo-Addo said enough food supplies have been distributed to all schools ahead of the partial reopening.

    “Government is also making available 350 buses and 840 pickup vehicles to senior high schools that did not receive vehicles in 2016” he announced.

    Safety Protocols

    As part of the protocols, all 1,167 Senior High Schools in the country have been fumigated and disinfected by the waste management giant Zoomlion Ghana Limited against bed bug infestation and covid-19 respectively.

    Other measures, President Akufo-Addo said have been put in place to ensure the safety of both teaching and non-teaching staff

    “Each student, teaching and non-teaching staff, invigilator and school administrator, numbering some 800,000, will be provided with three pieces of reusable face masks” the President said.

    Two of the reusable facemasks will be provided them Monday while the third will be given within a fortnight.

    Despite the provision of masks for the students, the President has urged parents to provide their wards and children with at least one more face mask for use on their way to school.

    “A total of 18,000 Veronica Buckets, 800,000 pieces of two hundred millilitre sanitizers, 36,000 rolls of tissue paper, 36,000 gallons of liquid soap, and 7,200 thermometer guns have been distributed,” Nana Akufo-Addo said.

    Source: 3news.com

  • GES releases guidelines ahead of resumption of high schools

    The Ghana Educational Service (GES) has released guidelines ahead of the re-opening of high schools for final year students as well as 2nd year Gold Track students

    The fundamental principle for these guidelines is to ensure that students, teaching and non-teaching staff are safe at school and help stop the spread of coronavirus.

    Senior high school (SHS) final year students and 2nd year Gold track students are expected to resume school on Monday, June 22 while final year students at the junior high school (JHS) will report to school on Monday, June 29.

    Final year students of all tertiary institutions resumed physical academic work last Monday, June 15.

    Source:  Owusu Kaziah Afram|Contributor|Ghana

  • Coronavirus: Adaklu MP advises students against care-free lifestyle

    Kwame Agbodza, Member of Parliament for Adaklu, has cautioned students against ‘care-free’ lifestyles in school in the wake of COVID19.

    He said the spread of the virus was an indication that it must not be taken for granted and charged students to strictly adhere to all preventive protocols as schools reopened. Mr. Agbodza said this when he presented some personal protective equipment to residents of Adaklu Waya.

    The items include; 10,000 face masks, 15 veronica buckets, hand sanitizers, liquid soaps and tissue papers.

    He said the world was not in normal times, demanding cautiousness and healthy lifestyle. Mr. Agbodza said the veronica buckets should be placed in markets in the District and some face masks and the other items given to the Adaklu Senior High School to be used by the final year students who were to resume school on 22nd June.

    The MP said the rest should be distributed to all communities in the District. Mr. Samuel Atormy Dorfe, Asseblyman for Torda electoral area who received the items on behalf of the people praised Mr. Agbodza for his untiring efforts in the fight against the pandemic in the District.

    He appealed to all well-meaning citizens of the area, philanthropists and organizations to support the MP in helping stop the spread of the virus.

     

    Source: GNA

  • Ahafo Region Senior High Schools benefit from disinfection against coronavirus

    Senior High Schools (SHSs) in the Ahafo Region on Tuesday benefitted from the Ministry of Education, Ghana Education Service and Zoomlion Ghana Limited disinfection programme against the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

    The schools were Boakye Tromo Senior High Technical School, in the Tano-North District; Presbyterian Senior High School, Bechem; Bebusco SHS; Serwaa Kesse SHS, Duayaw Nkwanta; Bechem School for the Deaf and Blind etc., all in the Ahafo Region.

    While some of the headmasters expressed their readiness to welcome back students, others contended that it will be difficult for them to observe, especially, the social/physical distancing protocol.

    According to the Headmaster of Boakye Tromo SHS, Mr. Benjamin Kwarteng, he is ready to receive the final-year and Form-two students.

    “…and I must stress that we have prepared very well to welcome them back to school,” he said.

    However, he pointed out that the school will have a challenge with the social distancing protocol.

    “It will be difficult for us to observe the social distancing protocol,” he admitted.

    The reason, Mr. Kwarteng explained, is because the school does not have enough space in the various dormitories to be able accommodate all the final-year students, of which government has directed that there should be 25 in each dormitory.

    He therefore used the opportunity to appeal to the traditional council and municipal chief executive for the area to come to their aid.

    That notwithstanding, he commended Zoomlion for the exercise.

    At the Presbyterian SHS, the Assistant Headmaster-Domestic, Mr. Michael Boamah Gyamfi, admonished the students who are scheduled to come back on Monday, June 22 to comply with all the COVID-19 protocols.

    He advised parents against visiting their children while in school for the eleven weeks that they will be there.

    He also highlighted that his school will have some difficulties enforcing the social distancing protocol.

    For her part, the Principal of Bechem School for the Deaf and Blind, Mrs. Alice Oppong Adubia, made a passionate appeal for central government to assist them with Veronica buckets, hand sanitisers, nose masks etc.

    “Because we use signs to communicate, we are appealing for government to help provide us with special face masks without which it will be very challenging for us to teach,” she said.

     

    Source: B&FT Online

  • Sunyani Technical University to crack whip on students who flout coronavirus protocols

    Management of the Sunyani Technical University (STU) in the Bono Region has warned it will sanction members who flout the laid down protocols as far as the COVID-19 is concerned.

    Management reveals that it has put in place all the necessary protocols such as temperature check, provision of Veronica Buckets at vantage points for washing of hands, and the compulsory wearing of face to prevent a possible outbreak on campus of COVID-19 on campus.

    Each student has also been given three washable face masks and a hand sanitizer for personal use.

    According to the Public Relations Officer of the Sunyani Technical University, Mr. Dickson Kyere-Duah, recalcitrant staff and students who flout the protocols instituted by the University will be duly sanctioned.

    The PRO revealed that even though they are expecting a total of 1,500 final year students back on campus, they have instituted stringent measures for both staff and students in compliance with the directives of President Nana Addo Danquah Akufo-Addo.

    “Staff and students who flout the Covid-19 protocols we have put in place would be sanctioned. We have given three reusable face masks to each student so without your face masks you will not be allowed entry to campus and without washing your hands you cannot enter any department.”

    He revealed that aside these measures that have been instituted, there is a COVID-19 team that will also undertake continuous training and education to ensure compliance in the interest of the university community.

     

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • I reopened schools ‘advisedly’; coronavirus can’t put our education on hold Akufo-Addo

    President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has said Ghana cannot put education, health and issues of social justice on hold just because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

    Announcing the resumption of school for final-year students of the universities, the President said in his eleventh televised address to the nation on Sunday, 14 June 2020 that: “From tomorrow, Monday, 15 June 2020, the last batch of institutions in this phased approach, our educational institutions, will begin to re-open, with final-year students in our tertiary colleges and universities returning to school to prepare for and take their exit examinations”.

    “As has been stated, final-year senior high school (SHS 3) students, together with SHS 2 Gold Track students, will resume on 22nd June; and final-year junior high school (JHS 3) students, the week after, on 29 June”, the President said.

    According to the President, “The decision to include our schools in phase one of the easing of restrictions was taken advisedly”.

    “Some argue that we are putting the lives of our students, teachers and non-teaching staff in danger by this re-opening, citing the examples of other countries, who have done so and recorded spikes in their infection case counts”.

    “I have stated, on several occasions, that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to the resolution of this pandemic”.

    “We have our own unique situation in the country, and we have always taken that it into account in dealing with this disease, much as we are prepared to learn from the examples of others”, he said.

    President Akufo-Addo noted that “over the last three (3) months, every aspect of our national life has been affected by this virus”, noting: “We have had to take deliberate steps to ensure that our society, in the face of the pandemic, is able to function, and continues to strive to deliver the results of progress, prosperity and development, for which we all yearn”.

    “Saving lives, jobs and livelihoods, revitalising our economy, and safeguarding the future of our country have been at the heart of this endeavour”, adding: “We cannot say that because of the pandemic, we are no longer interested in issues of social justice such as education and health”.

    Education, the President said, “indeed, is the key to the future of our country”.

    “The quality of education that our educational institutions produce, ultimately”, he noted, “will determine the success or otherwise of our nation”.

    “We, therefore, have to find a way of guaranteeing the prospects of the generation of young people who are the objects of education today, and who represent our future”.

    “We have to do everything within our power to protect their potential, and, thereby, help preserve our future”.

    “We cannot afford to let the pandemic undermine our chances for survival and progress. We have to confront our present and future with confidence, knowing fully well that we must remain, at all times, vigilant and careful”.

    “So, from tomorrow, operating with half the class size, final-year students will begin a six-week period of learning to finish their respective programmes. Subsequently, for a period of four weeks, they will sit for their exit examinations. It must be put on record that some final-year university students will not be returning to school, as some of them, through virtual means, have already sat their exit examinations”, he announced.

    Prior to their return to school, the government, through the Ministry of Education and the Ghana Education Service, has ensured that all tertiary institutions, public and private, have been disinfected.

    Universities, with their own hospitals and clinics, have been equipped with the necessary personal protective equipment, and have isolation centres to deal with any positive cases, the President noted.

    “All other institutions, without their own clinics and hospitals, have been mapped to health facilities”, he said.

    He, however, said: “There will be no mass gatherings and no sporting activities. Religious activities, under the new protocols, will be permitted. Social-distancing and the wearing of face masks must become the norm on campus”.

    “To aid in this effort, a total of six hundred thousand (600,000) face masks has been distributed to the tertiary institutions. This is to enable every student, teaching and non-teaching staff to have three (3) reusable face masks. In addition to this, one thousand seven hundred (1,700) Veronica buckets, two hundred thousand (200,000) litres of hand sanitisers, three thousand, four hundred (3,400) litres of liquid soap, and nine hundred (900) thermometer guns have been distributed, with the transportation and delivery of these items being overseen by the special logistics team of the Government Committee, chaired by the sagacious, experienced politician, the Senior Minister, Hon. Yaw Osafo Maafo, that is supervising the re-opening of the schools”.

    He also said: “I met with the Vice-Chancellors of the universities, both public and private, last Tuesday, who pledged that they would co-operate to ensure that this exercise is effectively undertaken, and I thank them very much for their co-operation. Our intention is to secure the lives of the nearly two hundred thousand (200,000) students, lecturers and non-teaching staff, who will be returning to campus from tomorrow, and I appeal to them also to do their bit to help us succeed. I urge them to adhere to enhanced personal hygiene and social distancing protocols, wash their hands with soap under running water, refrain from shaking hands, and wear their masks to, in and from the lecture halls, and on the campus, generally”.

     

    Source: Class FM

  • Close schools, final year students must be graded on continuous assessment – Akufo-Addo told

    Nana Ofori Owusu, Director of Operations for the Progressive People’s Party (PPP), has expressed worry over the reopening of schools for final year students in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

    According to Nana Ofori Owusu, asking the students to go back to their various schools in this crucial season of COVID-19 may endanger more lives and also create fear and panic in their homes.

    President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, delivering his eleventh update on COVID-19, reiterated that final year tertiary students will resume school on Monday, June 15, 2020, while those at the Junior High Schools resume on June 29, and the Senior High Schools on 22nd June.

    “From tomorrow, Monday, 15th June, the last batch of institutions in this phased approach, our educational institutions, will begin to re-open, with final year students in our tertiary colleges and universities returning to school to prepare for and take their exit examinations. As has been stated, final year Senior High School (SHS 3) students, together with SHS 2 Gold Track students, will resume on 22nd June; and final-year junior high school (JHS 3) students, the week after, on 29th June. The decision to include our schools in phase one of the easing of restrictions was taken advisedly,” the President said.

    But Nana Ofori Owusu has cautioned the President and the stakeholders in the education sector to reconsider their decision.

    He asked how the President expects the students and their lecturers to stay safe and free of the virus infections when they cannot determine their health status especially now that research has proven that some COVID-19 patients are asymptomatic.

    Speaking to host Kwami Sefa Kayi on Peace FM’s ‘Kokrokoo’, Nana Ofori Owusu appealed to the President to go for an alternative given by the Minister of Education, Matthew Opoku Prempeh which suggests that the final year students could be graded using their continuous assessment.

    This, to him, is a better option than opening the schools because if the students are to be graded based on their continuous assessment, there will be no need for final examinations.

    He echoed the President’s statement that ”we’re not in normal times”, hence ”I am pleading that, with the Hon. Minister’s own alternative solution to the problem that he enumerated and it made perfect sense, I plead that we look at that option and push that option onto the children”.

     

    Source: Peace FM

  • Will final year students be frequently tested for coronavirus? – Nana Ofori Owusu to Akufo-Addo

    Staunch member of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP), Nana Ofori Owusu has asked President Nana Akufo-Addo to reconsider his decision for final year students to resume school in the wake of the novel Coronavirus.

    Giving his eleventh nation address on COVID-19, President Akufo-Addo rehashed his directive for the schools to open stating “from tomorrow, Monday, 15th June, the last batch of institutions in this phased approach, our educational institutions, will begin to re-open, with final year students in our tertiary colleges and universities returning to school to prepare for and take their exit examinations. As has been stated, final year senior high school (SHS 3) students, together with SHS 2 Gold Track students, will resume on 22nd June; and final year junior high school (JHS 3) students, the week after, on 29th June. The decision to include our schools in phase one of the easing of restrictions was taken advisedly”.

    The President was optimistic about the measures adopted by his government and stakeholders in the education sector to safeguard the students and their teachers.

    “Some argue that we are putting the lives of our students, teachers and non-teaching staff in danger by this re-opening, citing the examples of other countries, who have done so and recorded spikes in their infection case counts. I have stated, on several occasions, that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to the resolution of this pandemic. We have our own unique situation in the country, and we have always taken that it into account in dealing with this disease, much as we are prepared to learn from the examples of others,” he argued.

    He also added that, as part of measures to prevent infections on the campuses, ”a total of six hundred thousand (600,000) face masks has been distributed to the tertiary institutions. This is to enable every student, teaching and non-teaching staff to have three (3) reusable face masks. In addition to this, one thousand seven hundred (1,700) Veronica buckets, two hundred thousand (200,000) litres of hand sanitisers, three thousand, four hundred (3,400) litres of liquid soap, and nine hundred (900) thermometer guns have been distributed, with the transportation and delivery of these items being overseen by the special logistics team of the Government Committee, chaired by the sagacious, experienced politician, the Senior Minister, Hon. Yaw Osafo Maafo, that is supervising the re-opening of the schools”.

    But Nana Ofori Owusu is not convinced by the President’s efforts as he seeks to know if there will be frequent testing for the students and their teachers.

    “Are we going to test them? How can we know those infected and are coming from their home? How can we know a supporting staff who cleans the place is infected from home? How can we the lecturer is infected? Where’s the baseline statistics to show that as we have opened schools today, within two weeks, when we do another testing, we can understand that there’s been a growth or reduction or we have contained it because the President says we can never know unless we test?” he questioned.

     

    Source: Peace FM

  • University of Ghana appeals to students to keep visitors out

    Professor Nana Aba Appiah Amfo, Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Academic and Students Affairs, University of Ghana, has appealed to students of the institution to keep visitors out of campus, as part of measures to contain the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.

    She said the institution has put in various arrangements to ensure the safety of students while they were on campus.

    Prof Amfo made the appeal on Monday, when she toured the University as part of activities marking the reopening of the institution for its final year students.

    The re-opening is in line with the Presidential Directive that all tertiary institutions in the country should resume from June 15, as part of the gradual easing of the COVID-19 restrictions.

    The Pro-Vice-Chancellor, who was accompanied by the Registrar, Mrs Mercy Haizel-Ashia, visited the Akuafo Hall, the Balme Library and the University of Ghana Business School.

    The delegation was received at the Akuafo Hall jointly by Dr Gladys Nyarko Ansah, Hall Tutor and Dr Clement Appah, Hall Master, Akuafo Hall.

    Prof Perpetua Dadzie, University of Ghana Librarian, conducted the delegation around the Balme Library.

    Prof Amfo also appealed to the students to follow the University’s directives as part of measures to contain the COVID-19 pandemic.

    She said some of the directives for containing the disease might seem to be a bit harsh but they were for the good of the students; citing, in particular, the one banning students from receiving visitors.

    “They (students) are here for a short while to complete their exams and so, they should comply with the directives. Keep the visitors out, so that they are all safe.”

    She said once the University took delivery of the personal protective equipment (PPE) promised by the government, they would be distributed to the students.

    Prof Dadzie said the Library was practicising social distancing, hand washing with liquid soap and the use of sanitisers as part of measures to help contain the spread of COVID-19.

    Dr Appah, in an interview with the Ghana News Agency, said to contain the COVID-19, the University Management has ensured that veronica buckets filled with water for washing of hands with soap and hand sanitisers were placed at all entry points of halls of residence, departments, faculties and colleges.

    He said all their lectures and examinations were been conducted online.

    In another development, the Ghana News Agency paid a similar visit to the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA).

    Mr Rami Baitie, Director, Corporate Affairs and Institutional Advancement, GIMPA, said in line with the Presidential Directive, the Institute has formally reopened for the final year students.

    He, however, noted that their examinations, which was being conducted online, started about two weeks ago and that it would be brought to a close by the end of the month.

     

    Source: GNA

  • Coronavirus: Academic life returns to tertiary institutions in Ho

    Academic life has returned to tertiary institutions in the Ho Municipality of the Volta Region following the partial opening of schools for final year students in tertiary institutions to prepare for their examinations.

    Scores of students were spotted at the Ho Technical University (HTU), the University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS) and the Evangelical Presbyterian University College campuses when the Ghana News Agency visited Monday morning.

    The GNA also saw ‘Veronica buckets’ filled with water, tissue papers, liquid soaps and hand sanitizers placed at vantage points of the campuses to enable students observe the hand washing protocol to limit the spread of COVID-19.

    Some students and lecturers were seen in face masks with “NO MASKS, NO ENTRY” written on lecture halls.

    A few students who spoke to the GNA said though they were not comfortable returning to school as the Covid-19 case in the country continued to increase, their academic work was also important.

    They called on the authorities of the institutions to ensure that adequate preventive measures were put in place against spread of the virus.

    Madam Maria Gwira, Director of Public Affairs, UHAS, told GNA that the University was fully prepared for academic work to continue, saying all classrooms, laboratories and offices of the institution had been fumigated in preparation for academic work.

    She said the University had taken delivery of some assorted items from the government including infrared thermometer guns, 2,625 hand sanitizers, 7,875 face masks, 30 rolls of tissue paper, 15 Veronica buckets, 30 liquid soap (4.5 litre bottles) to limit the spread of the virus.

    Madam Gwira said the items would be distributed to both students and lecturers and other workers in the University to stem the spread of the Coronavirus.

    She said lectures had resumed immediately and students were expected to wear their masks to the lecture halls, adding that any students who failed to wear his or her mask would not be allowed to enter the hall.

    Mr Isaac S. Meyir, Senior Assistant Registrar, In-charge of Public Affairs, HTU, also said the University had put all the necessary protocols in place in lecture halls and the residential halls to ensure the safety of the University family.

    He said all lecture halls and residential halls of both students and lecturers had been fumigated as a preventive measure to curb the spread of the novel Coronavirus.

    Mr Meyir said both students and lecturers would have to check their temperatures before entering the lecture halls, adding, “any students who refused for his or her temperature to be checked will not be allowed to enter”.

    He said any student who failed to comply with the protocols put in place by the authority at their various residential halls would be removed from the hall.

    Mr Meyir said the University would be organizing a virtual COVID-19 orientation for the students to prepare them on the COVID-19 situation in the Ho Municipality to enable them appreciate the situation and conduct themselves in a manner that would help prevent spread of the disease.

    Mr Meyir said the orientation was also to encourage students comply with safety protocols.

     

    Source: GNA

  • UEW Winneba Campuses receive final year students

    Arrival of Students of the University of Education Winneba (UEW), Winneba Campus was not encouraging when Ghana News Agency (GNA) visited the three campus (Central, South and North) in Winneba.

    About 50 students had reported, as per survey conducted at the campuses as at 1100hrs on Monday.

    However, information gathered from the Academic Affairs of the University indicated that final year students of the four campuses of UEW in the country were expected to report at their various campuses to continue with academic work and writing of their final examination.

    A total of 9,675 final years students are expected to report at the four Campuses (Winneba 5,403, Ajumako 622, Mampong 934 and Kumasi 2,716).

    At the main entrance of the various campuses in Winneba, security personnel checked the temperature of all people entering the premises of the University, amidst ensuring that the other safety protocols were adhered to, before being allowed entry.

    Speaking to some of the students who had arrived on the Winneba campus, they expressed delight that they will be finishing their examination soon and assured that they will strictly adhere to the protocols to enable them to return to home safely.

     

    Source: GNA

  • Coronavirus: Israel has closed schools, is Ghana better than them? – Nana Ofori Owusu quizzes

    PPP bigwig, Nana Ofori Owusu has admonished President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to close schools for final year students.

    President Nana Akufo-Addo, in his 11th update on COVID-19, reiterated the reopening of schools for final year students.

    He was also cocksure the preventive measures by his government will help consolidate the health of the students and their school authorities as well as non-teaching staff.

    “Some argue that we are putting the lives of our students, teachers and non-teaching staff in danger by this re-opening, citing the examples of other countries, who have done so and recorded spikes in their infection case counts. I have stated, on several occasions, that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to the resolution of this pandemic. We have our own unique situation in the country, and we have always taken that it into account in dealing with this disease, much as we are prepared to learn from the examples of others,” the President argued.

    He added that to aid in the fight against the pandemic “a total of six hundred thousand (600,000) face masks have been distributed to the tertiary institutions. This is to enable every student, teaching and non-teaching staff to have three (3) reusable face masks. In addition to this, one thousand seven hundred (1,700) Veronica buckets, two hundred thousand (200,000) litres of hand sanitizer, three thousand, four hundred (3,400) litres of liquid soap, and nine hundred (900) thermometer guns have been distributed, with the transportation and delivery of these items being overseen by the special logistics team of the Government Committee, chaired by the sagacious, experienced politician, the Senior Minister, Hon. Yaw Osafo Maafo, that is supervising the re-opening of the schools”.

    But Nana Ofori Owusu strongly believes it is a bad move to open the schools and has cautioned the President not to think his measures are infallible.

    The Director of Operations of the PPP, who is also aspiring to be its National Chairman, alluded to world statistics on the COVID-19 pandemic and feared there may be a spike in the number of infections in the country when final year students return to their various campuses.

    Citing countries which permitted their schools to resume only to close them again because they recorded higher numbers of infections among the students, he appealed to the President to reconsider his decision.

    He asked President Akufo-Addo if Ghana is better than Israel, comparing the two country’s technical know-how.

    “The statistics of the world show us that when we open schools, the numbers of COVID-19 infections increase. It is there; it’s staring us in the face . . . Israel is a highly knowledgeable society. I am quoting Israel because of the propensity for the average citizen in Israel to be conscious but Israel opened schools and Israel closed the schools. Are you saying that we’re more conscious as a society than Israel? It can’t be the case. The argument will not hold. Any attempt to make that argument is on a slippery slope because we learn from best practices of the world,” he said on Peace FM’s ‘Kokrokoo’.

     

    Source: Peace FM

  • Coronavirus: Final year students return to schools amidst tight restrictions

    The President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has confirmed the reopening of schools for final year students of public universities and senior high schools (SHS) while preparations continue for the return of final junior high school (JHS) students to complete preparations for their exams.

    Beginning today Monday May 15, 2020 operating with half class size, the President said final year students will begin a six-week period of learning to finish their respective programmes, and sit for their final exams, for four weeks.

    However, he noted that some final year university students will not be returning to school since they have already completed their examination through virtual means.

    “Final year SHS will report to school a week after the return of university students, June 22, along with SHS 2 Gold Track students, and final year JHS3 students on June 29. The Ghana Education Service (GES) has ensured the disinfection of all public and private tertiary institutions,” the president said.

    Additionally, he said universities with their own hospitals and clinics have been equipped with the necessary PPE’s and isolation centers to deal with any positive cases.

    However, as the schools open the President has directed for the adherence of some strict protocols including the cancellation of mass gatherings and sporting activities but religious activities under the new protocols will be permitted.

    Akufo-Addo stated the wearing of masks must become the new norm for students and in view of this said some 600,000 nose masks have been supplied to tertiary institutions.

    He said pandemic should not erode the interest in social justice such as education and health.

    “We cannot afford to let the pandemic undermine our chances for survival and progress. We have to confront our present and future with confidence, knowing fully well that we must remain, at all times vigilant and careful”

    He added notwithstanding how the outbreak of the coronavirus has altered national life, deliberate steps effort has been made to ensure that society is able to function while continuing to strive to deliver the results of progress, prosperity and development.

     

    Source: B&FT Online

  • Here are the measures taken to combat the spread of coronavirus in Ghana as schools reopen

    Out of an abundance of caution, and in keeping with the efforts to prevent and contain the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19), the government has outlined a roadmap for easing the restrictions put in place to help contain the spread of the Coronavirus pandemic in the country as schools reopen.

    President of the Republic Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo in a televised address to the nation on Sunday, June 14, 2020, has made the wearing of face masks mandatory, in the wake of a sharp rise in the number of COVID-19 cases in Ghana.

    He said the Police and law enforcement agencies will enforce this directive through an Executive Instrument.

    He stated that the government, through the Ghana Health Service (GHS), continues to monitor daily the spread of the virus, and has benchmarks of health outcomes, which define the mitigation measures that must be pursued to curb the spread of the disease and enable us to reassess the easing of restrictions.

    He said “Prior to their return to school, Government, through the Ministry of Education and the Ghana Education Service, has ensured that all tertiary institutions, public and private, have been disinfected. Universities, with their own hospitals and clinics, have been equipped with the necessary personal protective equipment, and have isolation centres to deal with any positive cases. All other institutions, without their own clinics and hospitals, have been mapped to health facilities. There will be no mass gatherings and no sporting activities. Religious activities, under the new protocols, will be permitted. Social distancing and the wearing of face masks must become the norm on campus. To aid in this effort, a total of six hundred thousand (600,000) face masks have been distributed to the tertiary institutions. This is to enable every student, teaching, and non-teaching staff to have three (3) reusable face masks. In addition to this, one thousand seven hundred (1,700) Veronica buckets, two hundred thousand (200,000) litres of hand sanitisers, three thousand, four hundred (3,400) litres of liquid soap, and nine hundred (900) thermometer guns have been distributed, with the transportation and delivery of these items being overseen by the special logistics team.”

    According to him, “It is important for me to remind residents of the Greater Accra and Ashanti Regions, where the great majority of cases have been recorded, and in the Western and Central Regions, where we are seeing an increase in infection cases, to continue to adhere strictly to the social distancing and enhanced hygiene protocols announced.”

    “With the doctors and scientists telling us that the virus is transmitted from human contact, through talking, singing, coughing and sneezing, which results in sending droplets of the virus from one person to another, residents of these four regions, and, indeed, all Ghanaians, must remember that the wearing of masks is now mandatory.

    “Leaving our homes without a face mask or face covering on is an offense. The Police have been instructed to enforce this directive, which is the subject of an Executive Instrument,” he said.

     

    Source: pulse.com.gh

  • Government distributes 600,000 face masks to tertiary schools as lectures begin

    President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has announced stringent measures implemented by the government to ensure that campuses are free from the novel Coronavirus as lectures begin today.

    Final year students from the various tertiary institutions are to return to their lecture halls to complete their final semester.

    This, the president announced to Ghanaians during his 11th Coronavirus address noting that all private and public educational facilities have been disinfected and provided with logistics for health and safety purposes.

    “600,000 face masks have been distributed to the tertiary institutions,” President Akufo-Addo announced in his address.

    He indicated that 200,000 students, and teaching and non-teaching staff who are expected back on campus will have three reusable face masks each.

    In addition, 1,700 Veronica buckets; 200,000 litres of hand sanitizers; 3,400 litres of liquid soap; and 900 thermometer guns have been distributed.

    Yaw Osafo-Maafo, the Senior Minister, the president informed the nation, will supervise the transportation and distribution of the said items to the various tertiary educational institutions.

    Emphasizing half class sizes, the president stated: “Final year students will begin a six-week period of learning to finish their respective programmes. Subsequently, for a period of four weeks, they will sit for their exit examinations. It must be put on record that some final year University students will not be returning to school, as some of them, through virtual means, have already sat their exit examinations.”

    In addition to all the measures taken, universities with their own hospitals have been provided with PPEs, and isolation centres provided to cater for any positive cases that would be detected.

    Those without health facilities have been mapped to hospitals within the towns the schools are located in.

    The president indicated strongly that, there will be no mass gathering and no sports activities except “religious activities under the new protocol will be permitted”.

    The President emphasized: “Social distancing and the wearing of face masks must become the norm on campus.”

     

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Universities to reopen today after over three-month shutdown

    Public and Private Universities across the country say they are ready to resume academic work as final year students return to school today, June 15, 2020.

    The partial reopening as announced by the government will see final year University students resume lectures to enable them to take their exit exams.

    Chairman of Vice-Chancellors Ghana, Professor Ebenezer Oduro says adequate measures have been put in place to protect students, teaching and non-teaching staff.

    “All universities are obliging to reopen and so come the 15th, Monday, all universities will reopen so students who want to come to campus are free to come to campus. Those who for one reason or the other feel that they are safe where they are and they have access to internet facilities and they will want to stay at home while we continue our online things,” he said.

    Earlier, the Vice-Chancellors called for the provision of adequate personal protective equipment to supply students.

    Prof. Oduro Owusu at a different forum said it will not auger well for the schools if students demand on PPE and the schools are unable to make any provision.

    “Students will start demanding PPE immediately they arrive on campus and if we are unable to supply them, you can rest assured that certain words will go to the public.”

    “So we are pleading with you and your very good team to ensure that these PPEs are well provided,” Prof. Owusu stated.

    The government over the weekend made available Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and logistics to 234 universities in the country.

    Addressing journalists in Accra, Information Minister Kojo Oppong Nkrumah said the 234 tertiary institutions are dotted across the country.

    “In all, we are expecting about 200,000 persons to benefit from these logistics. In terms of the specific logistics, everybody is getting three face masks which are reusable so that will be about 600,000 unit of face masks,” he added.

    The Minister said over 1,700 veronica buckets, over 200,000 two hundred ML units of hand sanitizers, and over 3,400 packets of soap and another 3,400 packets of tissue are being distributed.

    “About 900 thermometers are also going to all of these schools in addition to the disinfection and other exercises that are going on there,” he added.

     

    Source: citinewsroom 

  • Taskforce formed to ensure safe re-opening of schools Education Minister

    The President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has set up a special taskforce to ensure the safe re-opening of schools for final year students.

    Among other duties, the taskforce will oversee the provision of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and also ensure strict enforcement of COVID-19 safety protocols.

    Minister of Education, Dr. Matthew Opoku-Prempeh, who made the announcement, said this is to ensure a safe academic environment.

    “The President has set up a special team under the office of the Senior Minister with the Director-General of the Ghana Health Service,  Director-General of the Ghana Education Service, the Director-General of Military Logistics, the Deputy Director-General of Police welfare, the Ministry of Information, the Ministry of Local Government to coordinate with the distribution of logistics and ensure that schools reopening happen safely and securely.”

    “We do know that COVID-19 has brought to bear the need to embrace blended learning because we are getting into a new normal and it is imperative that the universities and all Ghana Educational Institutions adopt blended learning.”

    Schools in the country were ordered to shut down in March 2020 as part of measures to limit a further spread of the novel Coronavirus [COVID-19] in the country.

    The President subsequently gave a directive on Sunday, May 31, 2020, for schools to be reopened for only final year students to prepare and enable them to take their final examinations.

    Final year SHS students will be in school on Monday, June 22, 2020, while final year JHS students will resume on Monday, June 29, 2020.

    Universities will also reopen for final year students on June 15, 2020.

    The Minister earlier issued some guidelines for the reopening of schools.

    Full guidelines for Junior High Schools

    • Re-opening on Monday, June 29, 2020
    • Final Year Students (JHS 3) only
    • Eleven Weeks of Academic work and then one week for BECE
    • All classes to be split No more than 30 students in a class
    • Classes will be from 9 am to 1 pm each day (Reduced School Day)
    • No breaks outside the classroom
    • Schools will have enhanced daily health protocols
    • Schools will be unavailable for religious activities
    • No sports or sporting events

    Guidelines for Senior High Schools

    • Re-opening on Monday, June 22, 2020
    • Final year students (SHS 3) and SHS 2 Gold Track only
    • Six weeks of academic work then five weeks for WASSCE
    • All classes to be split No more than 25 students in a class
    • All day students in Boarding Schools will be in boarding
    • Day schools will have enhanced daily health protocols
    • Dining will be in batches in boarding schools
    • No visitors allowed
    • Schools are unavailable for religious activities
    • No sports and sporting events

    Guidelines for Tertiary institutions 

    • Re-opening on Monday, June 15, 2020
    • Final year students only
    • Six weeks of academic work and four weeks for exams
    • Split all classes
    • Private tertiary institutions are to provide to NCTE
    • Number of Staff
    • Number of Final Year Students
    • All Non-MoE educational institutions are also expected to re-open on Monday, June 15, 2020
    • Foreign Students who are outside the country and are identified will be allowed to return granted their country will allow them to exit.

    Source: citinewsroom 

  • PLAYBACK: Education Minister to announces directives governing the reopening of schools

    Education Minister, Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh is currently addressing a press conference at the Ministry of Information to outline directives and protocols that will govern the reopening of schools across the country.

    This follows an announcement by President Nana Akufo-Addo on Sunday that final year students in university, Senior High and Junior High Schools can return to school from June 15 to prepare for their exit exams.

  • Reverse decision to reopen schools for final year students – Lecturer to Akufo-Addo

    The decision by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to allow final-year students at all levels to resume has been described as terrible and a recipe for disaster.

    Lecturer and psychologist at the University of Education, Winneba, Mr. Samuel Ziggah made the call when asked his opinion about the decision to have final year students resume.

    The lecturer is of the view that we have open the flood-gate for an escalation of more COVID-19 cases.

    He wants the president to rescind the decision before we regret the outcome.

    He explained after schools were closed, some of the students travelled and asking them to return without proper mechanisms in place to check them would worsen our plight.

    ”Asking students to resume will worsen our cases. Our healthcare workers would be overwhelmed with more cases. We will have a break down of our health systems and so, I will encourage the president to rescind his decision with immediate effect,” he said.

    He added ”we are behaving as if the coronavirus is no longer with us but we are still having more cases. The argument put forward by the president before asking students to resume is not reasonable and dangerous for us. We are exposing students and Ghanaians to danger. If it will take two years for the coronavirus to be dealt with, we can wait. Education is not a race”.

    For him, there would not be a conducive environment for students to learn as anxiety will set in due to the fear for, the virus.

    ”This not easy. If our cases escalate, we will regret taking this decision. We do not have what it takes to deal with an escalation. Nurses and doctors are even dying from the virus. How much more citizens,” he lamented.

    ”No responsible parent will allow his or ward to go back to schools. The parents should resist this decision and protect their children.” he advised.

     

    Source: rainbownradioonline.com

  • Schools remain closed to non-final year students Akufo-Addo

    Despite the reopening of schools for final year students ahead of the conduct of their respective exit examinations, schools remain closed to non-final year students, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has said.

    “For the avoidance of doubt, all other educational facilities, private and public, for non-final year students, will remain closed. The Minister for Education, in the coming days, will outline, in detail, the specific guidelines for the safe reopening of our schools and universities,” the president said during his 10th address to the nation on Sunday, May 31, 2020.

    The President took the decision after an engagement with the various Teacher Unions at the Jubilee House.

    Akufo-Addo indicated that “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.

    He continued: “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.”

    He added, “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.”

    Prior to the reopening of schools and universities, the Ministry of Education, and the heads of public and private educational institutions, will fumigate and disinfect the institutions.

    “Each student, teacher, and non-teaching staff will be provided with re-usable face masks by the Ministry of Education,” the president stressed.

     

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Ghanaian Times: Reopening schools amid coronavirus pandemic

    Since March, schools across the country have been closed to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus. Subsequently, the country has struggled to combat the disease that has no known cure yet.

    The closure of the schools is just one of the numerous decisions that were taken by the government to ensure the safety of all students, their teachers as well as members of the public.

    After staying at home for sometime however, there has been mixed reactions towards the closure of the schools. While some call for easing of the restrictions to allow the schools to reopen, others recommend gradual reopening with another group also asking the government not to reopen the schools at all.

    In fact the argument advanced by the various groups makes a lot of sense but of course, every one of them is going to be subjected to scrutiny by the health experts before a final decision is taken by the government.

    On our part, we hold the view that we cannot remain in the present condition forever and that someday, somehow, students and teachers would have to go back to the classroom. So what do we do when the disease is still lurking around?

    No doubt, the decision to open or not to open schools is not going to be an easy one because the teacher unions, the Parent-Teacher Associations and School Management Committees have said in various statements that the lives of teachers, students, and other school workers would be at risk due to the difficulty in maintaining social distance at schools.

    They, therefore, proposed to the Ghana Education Service (GES) that any future decision to reopen schools must be based on science with published convincing data in support and consensus by parents and other stakeholders.

    “Amid an increasing community spread, and the water, sanitation, and hygiene logistical constraints in schools, the GES should not advise the government to reopen schools now,” a statement from the Parent-Teacher Associations and School Management Committees said.

    This position is however, strongly opposed by private schools who want the government to reopen the schools because their incomes and livelihoods depend solely on fees from their students.

    Whatever decisions the government comes up with; there are some basic things that we must begin to look at before the schools are reopened.

    The first major one is that, schools are going to face major budgetary challenges to meet the social distancing requirements demanded in the directives issued by the government.

    Furthermore, the education authorities must be able to ensure that students and their teachers wear nose masks and wash their hands frequently with soap under running water which would require a lot of funds to sustain.

    Although, some countries around the world have started reopening their schools and it would not be out of place for Ghana to do same, it is important that the logistics and other protective needs are provided the schools to ensure their safety in order contain the spread of COVID-19

    It would be risky to reopen the schools without taking adequate measures to ensure that all schools adhered strictly to the necessary protocols to avoid further spread of the disease.

    Source: Ghanaian Times

  • Ministry of information tells when school reopens

    Kojo oppong nkrumah minister of information said school are not opening soon.

    The Ghana education system is Currently engaging stakeholders in the education sector to provide them with a blueprint on howschools will be made safe for teachers and students in case restrictions to fight the deadly corona virus are relaxed.

    As a result of contribution,some reports suggest that school will reopens soon.

    But addressing the press and the country on Thursday at ministry of information said the news was false and such news should be disregarded with immediate effect.

    He also said,there was a media reports which claims that school will reopens soon. With due respect this is not true. Consideration of what it takes to resume back to school and how preventive measures will be made safe for teachers and students.

    Meanwhile the others countries in Africa has started reopening of school.The only way is live with it by adherence to the protocol of infection, prevention and precautionary measures;handwashing,sanitizing your with alcohol base and wearing of face masks to prevent inhalation of viruses.

    Ghana’s borders have been closed down,people have been restricted from moving around and gathering has been banned in the country till 31st May to make sure the the country may be free from coronavirus.

    Henceforth clubs,pubs,mosques,churches andother public activities are all closed due on going pandemic in the country GHANA

    Reference

    Ghana web.com

    Joynews.com

    Source: operanewsapp.com

  • Government shouldn’t rush into reopening schools amid coronavirus – NDC National Youth Organizer

    National Youth Organizer of the largest opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), George Opare Addo has said any attempt at reopening schools anytime soon amid the coronavirus pandemic is a plan by government to achieve an ulterior motive.

    He argued on UTV’s ‘Adekye Nsroma’ discussion segment that such preparations by the ruling government is never the best and must not be encouraged.

    ” . . plans by government to reopen schools anytime soon is an agenda to set a common goal that the pandemic is no more with us which is never true. Government is just setting ways to achieve its political gains,” he said.

    The NDC National Youth Organiser wondered how children could hold out against the disease that is even very difficult for adults to withstand it.

    “Seriously I can’t imagine how a child will be quarantined for two weeks, can this be possible in our part of the world,” he asked.

    Mr. Opare Addo noted that the risk of contracting Coronavirus in Ghana is still high and the government should “not rush” into reopening schools.

    Source: Peace FM

  • Schools must remain closed even if ban on social gatherings is lifted – Unions

    The Pre-Tertiary Educational Teacher Unions in Ghana are advocating for schools to remain closed even if the ban on social gathering is lifted.

    The unions in a letter addressed to the Director-General of Ghana Education Service, Prof Kwasi Opoku-Amankwa said they [unions] “would not ascribe to the re-opening of the schools, should the President of the Republic decide not to extend the 31st May 2020 deadline and order the re-opening of the schools.”

    According to them, “the spread [of the virus in Ghana is still very exponential, given the fact that our [Ghanaian] schools could still be incubation centres of the pandemic, and given the unlimited social interactions and movements which take place there.”

    In their view, it would be difficult for the measures put in place to prevent the virus be adhered to in our schools.

    “The class sizes and dormitory population are still large, thus not making the observation of social distancing possible.”

    They said “considering the age and exuberance of our students one cannot be sure that they [students] will adhere strictly to the COVID-19 protocol hence the fear that the disease may spread in the schools.”

    Source: rainbowradioonline.com

  • Coronavirus: Schools start reopening in China’s biggest cities

    Older students in China’s biggest cities are starting to return to school following the coronavirus outbreak.

    Shanghai welcomed back pupils in their final years of middle and high school, while Beijing allowed students preparing for China’s university entrance exam in July to return.

    Schools in other parts of China re-opened several weeks ago.

    Wuhan, the city where the outbreak began late last year, is set to reopen high schools on 6 May.

    The country says it has largely curbed the spread of the disease. China has reported an increase of just 26 confirmed cases since Friday, bringing the total number to 82,830. All coronavirus patients in Wuhan have now been discharged, Beijing says.

    However, there are still fears of a possible second wave of infection, and social distancing measures are being strictly enforced, with students wearing masks and sitting at a distance from each other.

    In Beijing on Monday, some students were met by people wearing full hazmat suits. The Ministry of Education said the capital’s returning pupils would have their temperatures taken on arrival at school gates and must show that they have a “green” code on an app which calculates their risk before being allowed back to class.

    Beijing has still got some of the country’s strictest restrictions in place, including making new arrivals to the city spend two weeks in quarantine.

    In Hangzhou, one headmaster was taking no risks with his young charges. Pictures emerged of the pupils at Yangzheng Primary School wearing specially adapted hats to make sure they didn’t forget to keep their distance:

    Source: bbc.com

  • Danish schools begin reopening after month-long closure

    Denmark began reopening schools for younger children on Wednesday after a month-long closure to combat the novel coronavirus, becoming the first country in Europe to do so.

    Nurseries, kindergartens and primary schools were restarting after they were officially closed on March 17 in an effort to curb the COVID-19 epidemic, though many had shut before then.

    However classes are only resuming in about half of Denmark’s municipalities and in about 35 percent of Copenhagen’s schools, as others have requested more time to adjust to health protocols. All are expected to reopen by April 20.

    In the centre of the capital Copenhagen, some 220 pupils up to the second grade arrived at the Norrebro Park Skole, welcomed by their teachers who waved Danish flags. Children in the third and fourth grade will follow on Thursday.

    The children quickly settled into the reorganized classrooms designed to comply with strict new sanitary guidelines.

    “I feel great, really good about the kids going back to school,” Caroline, a 38-year-old and mother of two, told AFP.

    In early April the country’s centre-left government announced that schools would be reopened “on the condition that everyone keeps their distance and washes their hands.”

    But while schools are gradually reopening, bars, restaurants, hairdressing and massage parlours, shopping centres and discos remain closed, and gatherings of more than 10 people are banned.

    Schools are required to ensure that a distance of two metres (about six feet) is maintained between desks in classrooms and recesses must be organised for small groups.

    A headache for teachers is that they must ensure that pupils are never in groups of more than two while inside and five outside.

    Socially distanced teaching

    To adhere to guidelines, the school in Norrebro has divided the classes into two or three groups, limiting the number of students in a classroom to 12.

    Bottles with hand sanitiser are never far away to encourage students to clean their hands regularly.

    “We have the space because we’re using the classrooms usually used by the older grades who are working from home now,” said headmaster Henrik Wilhelmsen, adding that it would present an issue when older students also return.

    Some parents have opposed the reopening of schools, citing health concerns. A petition dubbed “My child is not a guinea pig” has garnered some 18,000 signatures.

    Wilhelmsen told AFP that around 15 parents had informed the school that they would not bring their children back.

    Others however trust their government’s judgement.

    “I think we’re all going to be sick at one point and they told us the children are going to be less sick and affected by this virus,” said Caroline, the mother.

    “I think it’s good that they’re going back to school… We need to go back to daily life,” she added.

    Middle and high school students will however continue remote classes and are only expected to return to classrooms on May 10.

    According to the latest figures on Wednesday morning, Denmark had 6,876 confirmed cases of the new coronavirus and 299 deaths.

    Before Denmark, Austria was the first European country to unveil its roadmap for a return to a “new normal”.

    On Tuesday, it allowed small non-food shops to open up, while maintaining social distancing rules and requiring masks to be worn in shops and on public transport.

    Austria plans to keep schools, cafes and restaurants closed until at least mid-May.

    Source: France24