Maldives is set to re-open schools in islands free of the Covid-19 pandemic, from July 1.
Joining the press briefing at the National Emergency Operations Center (NEOC) on Monday night, the Minister of Eduction, Dr. Aishath Ali revealed that this decision was reached following discussions with the Health Protection Agency (HPA).
As the authorities have urged individuals to pick up some habits following the new normal, the government plans to open up schools in phases.
Dr. Aishath revealed that students’ health protection will be highly prioritized when doing so.
The decision was based around the importance of opening schools, as students will miss out on a lot and be deprived of a lot, due to the closure of all educational institutions.
Students do not go to school to only learn, they also meet their friends and learn social skills through schools.”Dr. Aishath Ali, Education Minister
The minister revealed that they had worked to continue education for students, from the first day schools were closed. As such, the ministry launched google classes and tele-classes for students during the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.
The ministry has forwarded a guideline to be followed once schools open to the new normal, to all schools.
Rules mentioned under the guidelines to be followed include advising students and teachers against going to school should they develop coronavirus-like symptoms.
The plan to open up schools was formed in collaboration with UNICEF and has been divided into five components:
- Safe operations,
- Education and learning,
- Proceeding without interruption,
- Reaching out to vulnerable students and
- Resilience building.
Work is currently underway to make arrangements for hand-washing facilities as well as providing disinfection materials to schools.
Further, the ministry has also begun training teachers to provide psycho-social support for students.
Prior to entrance, all students will be scanned at the gates and the classroom capacity has been reduced from 30, 32 to 16 in order to maintain social distancing among students.
