…fear post-COVID-19 experience may be hard on children
Parents and stakeholders in the country have expressed concern over the level of compliance that will be observed by school authorities regarding the measures recommended by the World Health Organisation for their reopening at the end of the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to them, with the high rate of corruption in the country, school owners may bribe officials monitoring compliance to compromise the WHO measures.
They noted that such a situation would pose a great danger to the well-being of the children.
An education consultant, Mr. Nnanna Adibi, said that failure to put measures in place as advocated by WHO, before resumption, to protect the children from contracting the deadly disease, is wrong.
“Though, the Federal Government announced plans to fumigate schools, but how many schools will they be able to fumigate? That is why schools, especially the privately owned ones, need to take appropriate protective measures before school resumption.”
He advised schools to take the measures advised by WHO very seriously and ensure everything was put in place to observe them.
A parent, Adewale Ojo said with the listed measures by WHO, and if adhered to by schools, when they re-opened, parents would have the confidence to bring their children back to school.
A teacher, Mrs. Oyeyemi Atanda, told our correspondent that it would be good if schools followed the directives by WHO upon resumption, because it would be the best after the break from the Covid-19 pandemic.
“If the measures are taken seriously and adhered to, learners and educators will have the confidence they are going into a safe environment,” she said.
A school proprietress, Alh. Waidat Bello, commended WHO for the comprehensive guidelines and urged schools to adhere strictly to it.
She, however, advised other school owners, especially those in remote areas, not to cut corners with the measures upon resumption.
A parent, Mr. Obioma Nwada, said he was concerned about the children, adding that the WHO measures might initially seem hard on them, especially those of them used to physical touching of their school mates.
“Also, if parents have never taught children to always sit in one place, it will be really difficult for the children to adhere to these rules,” he said.
He, however, advised parents to start teaching the children social distancing now and to explain to them why they need to it.
“It is obvious, things are not going to be the same again and these children need to know everything they need to know, so that they can see why they need to adhere to these rules,” he said.
WHO recently listed strategies and adaptations that should be in place in schools post-Covid-19 and these include hygiene and daily practices at school and hygiene and environmental cleaning to limit exposure.
Recall that most countries of the world, including Nigeria, closed schools following the Covid-19 pandemic now ravaging the world.
Shutting down the schools, according to authorities, is to prevent children from contracting the virus as well as to curb the spread of the virus.
However, WHO has said schools must educate their students about COVID-19 prevention, including appropriate and frequent hand hygiene, respiratory hygiene, mask use if mandated, symptoms of COVID-19 and what to do if they feel sick.
“Non-contact greetings should also be advised. Offer weekly updates on these as the pandemic evolves,” it stated.
Others include creating a schedule for frequent hand hygiene, especially for young children, and provide sufficient alcohol-based rub or soap and clean water at school entrances and throughout the school.
“Schedule regular cleaning of the school environment daily, including toilets, with water and soap/detergent and disinfectant,” it said.
The strategies also include cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched surfaces such as door handles, desks, toys, supplies, light switches, door frames, play equipment, teaching aids used by children, and covers of books.
WHO added, “Assess what can be done to limit risk of exposure, or direct physical contact, in physical education classes, sports or other physical activities and play in playgrounds, wet areas and changing rooms.
“Increase frequency of cleaning in gym and sports facilities and changing rooms, provide hand hygiene stations at entrances and exits, establish one-way circulation of athletes through the facilities and limit the number of persons allowed in the locker room at one time.”
The health Apex body added that schools must put in place respiratory and hand hygiene and physical distancing measures in transportation such as school buses, and tips for students on safe commuting to and from school, including those using public transport.
It said, “Only one child per seat and at least one metre apart in school buses, if possible. This may lead to a need to increase the number of school buses per school. If possible, windows of the bus should be kept open.
“Develop a school policy on wearing a mask or a face covering in line with national or local guidance. If a child or school staff is sick, she/he should not come to school. Provide sufficient medical masks for those who need it, such as school nurses and children with symptoms. Screening and management of sick students, teachers and other school staff
“Also, enforce the policy of “staying at home if unwell” for students, teachers or school staff with symptoms. If possible, connect with local organizations to provide home care support and ensure communication between home and school.”
WHO also recommended 70 per cent ethyl alcohol to disinfect small surface areas and equipment, or sodium hypochlorite 0.1% for disinfecting surface.
“Consider daily screening for body temperature, and history of fever or feeling feverish in the previous 24 hours, on entry into the building for all staff, students and visitors to identify persons who are sick.
“Ensure students who have been in contact with a COVID-19 case stay home for 14 days and the school officials should notify public health authorities in case of a positive COVID-19 case.”
The school must inform parents about the measures the school is putting in place and ask for cooperation to report any cases of COVID-19 that occurs in the household.
If someone in the household is suspected to have COVID-19, keep the child home and inform the school.
According to WHO, schools should ensure that entry immunization checks are in place.
Check vaccination status for outbreak-prone vaccine preventable diseases (e.g. measles) and remind parents of the importance of ensuring their children are up to date on immunization.
Others measures are: boarding schools and other specialized institutions will need to extend these considerations to residential facilities, lecture halls, laboratories and other learning facilities for the all-round benefit and safety of students and staff. Physical distancing and tele-schooling Physical distancing at school
“Limit mixing of classes for school and after-school activities. For example, students in a class will stay in one classroom throughout the day, while teachers move between classrooms; or classes could use different entrances, if available, or establish an order for each class to enter and leave the building/classrooms.
They should also consider increasing the number of teachers, if possible, to allow for fewer students per classroom (if space is available), among others.
