President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has assured that the government would protect the lives of the 750,000 final year students of Junior High Schools (JSS) as well as teachers and non-teaching staff, who were to return to school on Monday, 29th June.
“I assure all parents and guardians that the government will not put the lives of 750,000 students, teachers and non-teaching staff at risk,” he said.
To this end, he said the government has provided to Personal Protection Equipment (PPEs) to school authorities to enable the students and teaching and non-teaching staff to protect themselves to contain the spread of COVID-19 on campus.
The President disclosed this in an address to the nation on the updates on measures taken by the government to stop the spread of COVID-19 in the country on Sunday, June 28th, 2020.
He said in addition to fumigating and disinfecting all the campuses of the Junior High Schools across the country, the government has distributed 45,000 Veronica Buckets, 90,000 gallons of liquid soap, 90,000 rolls of tissue paper, 40,000 thermometer guns, 750,000 pieces of 200mils sanitizers and 2.2 million reusable face marks (three to each student) to the authority of the schools.
He, however, advised the students and the teaching and non-teaching staff to strictly adhere to COVID-19 safety protocols by observing social distancing etiquettes, regularly wash their hands with soap under running water, refrain from shaking hands and hugging, and wear masks to protect themselves and others.
The President said the government and Conference of Heads of Basic Schools have agreed that class size should not exceed 30 students and students should report to at 9 am and close at 1 pm to reduce contact hours.
“No breaks outside the classroom will be permitted; assemblies and sporting events are banned; the use by outsiders of school premises for religious and other activities will not be allowed,” he added.
He said like other educational instructions such as tertiary and second circle, schools under the basic level has been linked to a health facility in the area to provide the health needs of the pupils.
Rex mainoo Yeboah, ISD
