The Minister of Education Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh says he strongly disagrees with those calling for the closure of schools due to recently recorded cases of Covid19 in some Senior High Schools.
Dr Opoku Mensah says closing down schools will be a disservice not only to parents but the students.
President Akufo Addo in June eased part of the Covid19 restrictions which allowed schools to be reopened to allow final-year students sit for their final examinations; however, not long after reopening some Senior High Schools have recorded cases of the virus creating an atmosphere of tension for most parents. The Accra Girls Senior High School is the first school to have had six of its students and an instructor and his wife contracting the virus.
A cross section of the public has thus intensified calls on the government to reconsider its decision and close down all schools in the country to safeguard the lives of teachers and their students.
Already some countries on the continent such as Kenya and Nigeria have suspended schools activities due to the virus until 2021.
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However speaking in an interview on Accra based local media Peace FM, the sector minister said he believes dwelling on the few figures of recorded cases in the schools as opposed to the over 1 million students that have returned to school should not be enough reason for people to call for the closure of schools.
He argued that the schools are the safest environments to manage any situation of the coronavirus since they are in a confined environment.
According to him government is committed to do its bit to manage the situation but will require the efforts of school authorities to insist on the strict adherence of all the necessary protocols needed to fight the virus.
Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh on the contrary is asking those who are pushing for the closure of schools to consider the social vices the students may be exposed to if they are asked to return home adding “it will be difficult for parents and guardians to ensure that their wards are not exposed to the virus at home.
He however added that supposing in the future matters escalate and due to that, experts’ advice and government agrees for a lockdown of the nation then automatically the schools would also be closed.
Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh having suffered from the disease himself emphasized how dreadful the disease is and advised people to strictly adhere to all the hygienic protocols.
Source: Joseph Kobina Amuah/ATLFMNEWS
