Education Ministry issue guidelines for classroom learning

Manama

Only a maximum of nine students will be allowed to sit in a classroom once government schools reopen, announced the Education Ministry.

Ministry’s Financial Resources and Services Assistant Undersecretary Khaled Al Gharib said that students and staff would comply by the rules of social distancing and the school premises will be sanitised regularly. The option to choose learning online from home is also offered.

The decision was revealed during a meeting to discuss returning to schools, universities and all educational institutions.

Mr Al Gharib also clarified that there will be no change in school timings and that students will spend their free time in the classrooms under the teachers’ supervision, except in the case of primary school students and students with special needs.

If more number of students opt to come to a school, additional areas in the campus will be allotted to accommodate them in order to maintain a distance of at least one and a half meters between the children at all times. Students’ temperature will be taken when they enter the school bus and the school premises.

Staff will ensure that students will stick to their specific group and will not be allowed to interact with students from other groups to ensure there is no chance of spread of any disease. The teachers and administrative staff for each group will also limit themselves to that group.

Sick or pregnant women are exempt from coming to the school and will be allowed to work from home. Also the use of elevators will be limited to the minimum. Mr Al Gharib also pointed out that the Ministry had developed the guide in preparation for the start of the 2020-2021 academic year considering the importance of preserving the health and safety of students and staff members from the spread of Coronavirus (Covid-19).

He stressed on the importance of children from all walks of the society being able to access good education.

“The health and safety of students and members of the administrative, educational and technical bodies is a top priority at the present time, and the Ministry of Education spares no effort in preserving it,” he said.

Bahrain also considered the steps taken by and experiences of other countries in this matter. A trained and equipped health team will be present in the school premises in case of any emergency.