prijava
SARAJEVO, August 20 (FENA) - The opening of schools for regular classes must be carried out in a safe manner and in accordance with the general public health response to the COVID-19 pandemic, said at the press conference member of the Crisis Staff of the Ministry of Health, Head of Epidemiology Department at the FBiH Institute of Public Health, Sanjin Musa.
He noted that the seven-day occurrence of the virus, i.e., the number of new cases per 100,000 inhabitants, is currently higher than 30 in nine cantons in the Federation of BiH, so the decision to reopen schools certainly requires a wider discussion of all stakeholders, primarily the competent ministries.
An extended meeting is planned for tomorrow, at which the FBiH level institutions' representatives will present guidelines to the cantonal ministries for the beginning of the school year.
The FBiH institutions in considering the overall situation are guided with those parameters that would mean the minimum risk for the children, i.e., primarily the need to protect their health, as well as the risk of secondary transmission, and how much the transmission of the virus from schools to households would worsen the overall epidemiological situation. Musa cited the example of Israel, where epidemic hotspots were registered in school environments literally ten days after the opening of schools, as well as the example of France.
"The opening of schools at full capacity definitely carries the greatest risk of COVID-19 transmission and the emergence of hotspots, i.e., wider transmission in the community.
At the same time, the transition to alternative models of teaching, such as through the media, online classes, certainly carries the least risk, but it cannot be the only acceptable solution; and for some school grades, it is completely unimplementable.
Thus, we believe that the combination of two approaches is the most optimal option - opening the schools for the specific age of students, with a smaller number of children in the group and with strict adherence to hygienic and epidemiological measures. We believe that it is most advisable to open schools for students up to the fourth grade. We leave the possibility to consider opening the classrooms for first-grade students in high schools as well," Musa said at the press conference.
It is also very important to educate staff, teachers, parents and students about COVID-19, as well as that schools have updated contingency plans - how to react and what to do in case one of the students or staff is infected with coronavirus or is suspected of having been infected.
Regardless of which model will be accepted, Musa concluded, the possibility of online classes should be left for students who, for example, must be in self-isolation or for those for whom it is determined are not able to attend classes due to some other chronic diseases.
Students, teachers and other school staff must stay at home, he noted, if they or any of their household members have symptoms similar to COVID-19, and it is necessary to provide sufficient disinfectants for schools, enable disinfection of schools and classrooms at least twice a day, as well as to secure adequate ventilation.
Organizing meals in schools is not recommended, students should bring their lunch to school and eat in class, not in the canteen or other common areas.
The organization of extended stay in primary schools is not recommended, Musa said, but if necessary, it is recommended to organize it in steady groups of up to ten students so that each group stays in separate rooms and to prevent the mixing of groups.
In order to maintain a minimum physical distance of one and a half meters, schools should promote the beginning and end of classes every day by having a smaller number of students in the hallways, entrances and exits of schools, as well as to ensure a reduction in the number of students per class. ten to 15 per class, group, and prevent unnecessary group mixing.
The FBiH institutions also propose to suspend long breaks for now, for the students to remain in their classrooms during short beaks, shortening the duration of school classes to 30 minutes and limiting the number of classes per day, canceling the gatherings such as sports activities, school competitions and other mass events.
(FENA) S. R.
