Laos

Many schools are unable to comply with anti-coronavirus measures due to a lack of equipment, said a government official.

MAny schools are unable to comply with measures to avert further outbreaks of the coronavirus due to a lack of necessary preventive equipment, according to an education official.

Most state schools need more preventive equipment such as temperature monitors and face masks, and this is the reason they cannot follow procedures issued by Laos’ education and sports ministry.

nevertheless, many schools have been able to implement steps such as increasing the number of classrooms and arranging suitable seating for students with physical distancing of at least one metre.

Schools have handwashing basins with soap for students and teachers and cleaning classrooms once a week to reduce the risk of infections.

Director-general of Laos’ general education department Dr Sisouk

Vongvichit yesterday said that since final-year classes in primary, lower and upper secondary schools were reopened two weeks ago, authorities have monitored state and private primary and secondary schools and found that many are not able to comply with the measures.

“The ministry has reported the problem to the national Taskforce Committee for Covid-19 Prevention and Control for their consideration and to offer solutions to ensure the well-being of teachers and students,” Dr Sisouk said yesterday.

“After the government announced that Grade 5 primary and Grades 4 and 7 secondary classes would reopen on May 18, the ministry proposed the committee donate soap, hand gel, face masks, temperature monitors and build washbasins for schools nationwide.

“We are now waiting for the response from the committee,” she said.