Educationist and Senior Lecturer at the University for Development Studies (UDS), Dr. Ibrahim Mohammed Gunu has urged the government to take punitive measures against authorities of all schools who expose students to risks of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Speaking on his observations after schools were fully re-opened last week, Dr. Gunu noted that a majority of the schools were regarding the safety protocols but believes the consistency of this was paramount.
On his accord, the Ghana Education Service (GES) must put in place a monitoring team to conduct unannounced visits to schools, especially public ones to ensure the complete regard for COVID-19 safety protocols.
“I observed that a majority of the schools were observing the COVID-19 safety protocols but more can be done. The authorities must also make sure that any school which disregards COVID-19 safety protocols must be sanctioned accordingly”.
To him, the re-opening of schools is in order and, “we need to work with the COVID-19 safety protocols. If not the schools will be closed forever and that shouldn’t be the case. The pandemic has brought the risk of not only infection but the exclusion of a section of the population from education”.
Dr. Gunu applauded the government for listening to stakeholders and reoepning schools. To him, the running of a shift system, especially in the public schools is a great initiative to protect kids from contracting the virus.
He reiterated that with parents and government trusting the school authorities to protect these students by strictly enforcing the adherence to COVID-19 safety protocols, any school the exposes kids to harm must be dealth with.
President Akufo-Addo in his 22nd address to the nation on measures taken against the COVID-19 pandemic directed schools to be reopened on the 15th of January, 2021 after closing them down in March 2020 to prevent students from contracting the virus.
After the reopening of schools, some parents complained of some schools disregarding COVID-19 safety protocols and withdrew their kids.
However, the National Schools Inspectorate Authority (NaSIA) started a nationwide monitoring exercise after schools were reopened to ensure the COVID-19 safety protocols are respected.
By: Joel Sanco
