Realistically implementing guidelines
On Thursday, the much-awaited guidelines for the return to school were published in full. They followed a press conference on the subject the day before.
The opening of schools has been a hot topic ever since COVID-19 cases began to increase again, but the government has – thus far – remained steadfast in the view that schools should reopen, with Prime Minister Robert Abela going as far as saying that it would be an “educational catastrophe” if schools were not to open their doors to students.
The 35-page or so document delves into various aspects of the return to school, and details limits such as restricted classrooms, alternative timetables, mask-wearing throughout the day, and staggered school transport.
First of all, it is a positive that the guidelines have been released now, and not only days before the scholastic year.
We do expect there to be more detailed explanations in the near future over how these guidelines can be realistically introduced in the classroom.
Having guidelines on paper is all well and good– but, as the old adage goes, the proof of the pudding is in the eating, or rather in this case, in the classroom.
Indeed, we can envision some logistical trouble with some of these measures. Having a restricted number of students in each class would, logically, create the need for more classrooms and more teachers – two things which are generally in short supply at schools.
Perhaps acquiring pre-fabricated rooms, as has already been done in some schools such as that of St Paul’s Bay, could alleviate the burden when it comes to facilities – but a solution would have to still be found for any potential shortage in teachers. After all, the option of bring teachers out of retirement to come back to school is not a viable one, given the fact that anyone over the age of 65 (just above retirement age) is considered a vulnerable person when it comes to COVID-19.
Another point which may be struggled with is that of facemasks. While extremely important, as has been attested by both the WHO and our own Health Superintendent Charmaine Gauci, it is undeniable that spending eight hours wearing a mask is an unenviable prospect. Enforcing this for children – who no doubt will find it even more unenviable – will not be an easy task.
Finally, another point which has been mentioned is with regard to school transport, where a number of measures have been made. These measures look into the increase of frequency of trips, the cohorting of students and the shortening of trips.
These measures – while needed from a health perspective – may have a knock-on effect on the children themselves. Many children are already forced to wake up and be ready for school at sometimes obscenely early hours of the morning, and with the number of trips bound to increase – and with traffic possibly increasing as well as more parents opt to take their children to school themselves – these wake-up times can only get longer.
It is difficult to surmise these guidelines in a short editorial – no doubt, more discussions will be held between all stakeholders. What is key now is that these guidelines are implemented properly in the classroom and that it is communicated as such – only in that sense can the education of the country’s children continues effectively.