LATELY, much has been said about the necessity for schools to reopen. However, are we ready to allow our children, teachers and staff to convene once again? If so, there must be a “start-again plan” for schools and new norms to be applied. I have listed some of the issues that might be encountered and some of the questions that must be addressed:

1. Students living in red zones might be returning to schools in green zones – going back to school might send them to zones of contrasts. Will this cause a spread of Covid-19 to green zones? 

2. Children may be asymptomatic and attend schools

3.  Some ill children will be sent to schools by their parents and only to be sent home once the teacher detects that they are unwell. Will we be able to counter issues 2 and 3 before it gives rise to another cluster? Can we be alerted before the children even come to school?

4. Social distancing at schools – with lining up during the assembly, during recess at the canteen, after recess and during co-curricular activities – will it all be possible?  

5. Can children (who unfortunately get quarantined for contracting covid-19) be allowed to continue their education without disruption? 

6. Will there be syllabus intervention on preventive measures for covid 19? Re-enforcement of education on a daily basis as a reminder? 

7. How will the cleanliness of schools be maintained?

Some of the possible solutions have been listed here to help with the issues listed above: 

1. We have to ensure that those coming to school are screened daily – teachers, students, staff, support staff and visitors. A basic thermoscan at the front gate is a good start. Parents should be more sensitive and vigilant. Do not send a child to school if he or she is unwell. Nearby klinik kesihatan and GPs can be assigned to schools for immediate medical attention in the event of a child being unwell. All cases of regular flu must be screened for Covid-19. This is possible with more sensitive rapid kits coming into the country soon.  There must be some mechanism of surveillance. Perhaps a system to notify the moment someone from the child’s home is diagnosed with Covid-19. The child can then be given medical help (home visit) and be quarantined. 

2. It would be beneficial if students, teachers, staff, support staff and visitors to wear masks until further notice. Hand sanitisers to be provided in classrooms, canteens, toilets and staff lounges. An announcement over the PA system after every subject interval to handsantize might be useful. 

3. Schools must call off all major gatherings, including sport days, assemblies and co-curricular activities. Social distancing must be practiced in the canteen, perhaps drawing of lines for queues and having split recess times so that contact is minimised. 

4. Children who are forced to miss lessons because they live in red zone areas or due to quarantine, must be given remedial classes, either later or by joining an online session with teachers. This will be one of the ways to avoid students being left behind in their education. 

5. School cleanliness must be upheld. Toilets must be washed more than once a day and canteens must be sanitised weekly. During school days, perhaps canteens can be sanitised with basic cleaning. 

We must take action immediately before we can ease movement control order rules for schools. We are responsible for our children and the risk of them contracting Covid-19  at schools must be minimised. Together we must have our plans put in order to ensure a smooth transition after the MCO is lifted. – April 30, 2020.

* Arvinder-Singh HS reads The Malaysian Insight.

* This is the opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insight. Article may be edited for brevity and clarity.