More than 50 measures for the reopening of schools – Owen Bonnici

Following the publication of the advice and guidelines to the educational sector for the reopening of primary and secondary schools in Malta issued by the Ministry for Health, and in accordance to these advice and guidelines, the Directorates for Education together with schools are implementing more than 50 measures related to the school logistics and operation for the reopening of schools during the COVID-19 period.

We are keeping all concerned updated with this information as widely as possible, with direct communication to those concerned and also posting on our Ministry’s social media. These updates are being published daily with the aim of keeping the public informed, step by step, about all the developments taking place in schools prior to their reopening.

The School Logistics and Operations Implementation Plan reflects the measures based on scientific evidence as published in the Advice and guidelines to the educational sector for the reopening of primary and secondary schools in Malta.

It is important to emphasise that this plan is a guideline for the School Administration for the re-opening of schools, to be adjusted accordingly in order to reflect the realities and needs of the individual schools. Prior to the re-opening of schools, the Ministry is also carrying out a risk assessment in all schools.

The World Health Organisation was clear in its advice that children should go to school under specific safeguards which have the aim of minimising the risk of infection from COVID-19. We do not believe that WHO does not hold the elderly in high regard. Rather we strongly believe that the elderly want their grandsons and grand-daughters to succeed in their life through education, as do their parents and guardians. We are taking all the necessary precautions as advised to us by the health authorities.

We left each parent at liberty to decide whether to send their kids to school. This being said, the WHO has advised in favour of sending kids to school.

This is a collective task, and we all have our responsibilities. We all have to do our part and it is recommended that the schools engage and encourage everyone in the school and the community to practice preventive behaviours.

A lot of work has been put in these past months to make sure that the educational institutions restart with the necessary measures. We have restarted childcare services, Summer School and national exams. In the meantime we have published the guidelines mentioned above for the reopening of schools after extensive consultation with all stakeholders. We are going to stick to these guidelines to make sure that we provide an environment with the minimum risk possible.

Measures start from social distancing and personal hygiene - the washing of hands with soap and water regularly and by using a sanitizer. However main measures include making sure that temperature is taken by the parents before the children leave home and again on arrival at school. In fact, before entering the school premises, everyone will have their temperature taken and all have to sanitize their hands.

We will strike a balance between breaking year groups in different time windows for the scope of entering the school and not causing undue hardship to parents who would have two kids attending the same school but in different year groups. All care will be taken so that the process where students enter the schools – and at school day’s end go out of it – is as neat and organised as possible.

All schools are being equipped with necessary signage and posters to facilitate these measures. Unauthorised visitors are not allowed in the school, only students, staff, educators and authorised personnel are allowed on the school premises. No parents or legal guardians are to be allowed in the school at any time.

Where possible, desks and seating in classrooms will all face in the same direction and none facing each other. Maximum effort is being made so that student desks are kept to a distance of 1.5m between students whilst sitting, which is in line with good social distancing practices. Staff will maintain a distance of at least 2m between themselves and the students.

Wherever possible, students and staff must remain within the same group/bubble, which composition should remain constant and social distance is observed. In particular there should be no unnecessary contact between students, or between students and educators and staff members. There will be no large gatherings or assemblies. Physical meetings will respect social distance and whenever possible shall be avoided and replaced with non-contact alternatives.

If common rooms and resources will be used by different groups of students at different times in the day, the room will be cleaned and disinfected, including furniture and common resources, between each new group using the room and facilities for specific activities.

The above are the main, however I encourage all to visit the Ministry’s official social media sites where extensive information and guidelines is being posted.

We are following the guidelines issued by the health authorities. There are difficulties of course but through everyone’s cooperation we can make it happen. Not all classes are of the same size. Also, we have utilised other available space in schools so that we can accommodate students while respecting the distances enshrined in the guidelines.

Above all, the cleaning of surfaces and the cleaning of premises remains an important measure to ensure hygienic conditions and fight against the spreading of COVID-19, with certain areas cleaned thoroughly on a frequent basis.

Great work is underway on the reopening of schools so that our children and grandchildren can continue their education in an environment that minimizes risk.

We all have to understand and also appreciate that until COVID19 is history we have to adapt to this new normal. With the help and co-operation of everyone we can make sure that we keep delivering high quality education whilst providing an environment where risk is minimised as much as possible.

Thanks again to all those who are giving their best for the good of our children and students!