Coming back to normal life should be done in safety – GNAT

The Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT) said it believed that coming back to normal life should be done in safety.

Mr Thomas T. Musah, GNAT General Secretary, in an interview with the Ghana News Agency said, two weeks ago, they presented a proposal to the Ghana Education Service (GES) detailing what government should do before the limited reopening for final year students.

“In that proposal, we made it clear that all schools should be fumigated, provide with Veronica buckets, thermometer guns, health personnel to man the schools and expand infrastructure to enhance social distancing and management of students, among others,” he said.

He said they also spoke about teacher incentives to motivate them to give out their best during these difficult times.

The Secretary-General said he hoped that government would make those logistics ready before June 22 to give assurance to parents, teachers and students of their safety.

Mr Musah said: “We are not in normal times and safety at this time is very key. This is not the time to be considering issues as the usual business”.

He said the onus is on the GES to come out with a policy statement and resources for effective implementation of the proposals put before it to ensure the safety of all.

He said GNAT continue to maintain that no one should be left out, adding, “we need to give the assurance to parents that their wards will be a safe while back in school”.

“The Ministry of Education, GES and all duty bearers have to ensure that the right things are done in our schools to protect both students and teachers from contracting the COVID-19 virus”.

He said it was likely that they would be meeting with the Ministry and the GES this week to see how far to carry out the measures.

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akuffo-Addo in his 10th address to the nation on managing of COVID-19 on May 31, announced the reopening of schools in phases.

He outlined that from Monday, June 22, final year SHS and SHS Gold Track students are to resume classes with a minimum of 25 in a classroom

The Final year JHS students also will resume classes on June 29 with a minimum of 30 students in a classroom.

Meanwhile, final year university students are to resume classes on June 15 with half the size of every class during lectures at all times.

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