Be cautious during ‘new normal’

ALTHOUGH life will not return to normalcy soon, the decision for the resumption of classes needs to be taken with caution.
This week, the Government has instructed for the reopening of schools for normal classes at the same time reminding all teachers, parents and stakeholders involved in the education of children to remain vigilant and maintain the new normal.
The “new normal” Covid-19 prevention and control protocols should now be in directive.
Papua New Guinea went into a 14-day lockdown in March after a first positive case of coronavirus was confirmed.
Schools closed in March with the Government announcing the commencement of term one school holidays.
The world was caught by surprise with the global novel coronavirus pandemic (Covid-19) outbreak in early January forcing almost a total shut down.
In a matter of weeks the Covid-19 changed how students were educated around the globe.
Developed countries such as the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand and elsewhere turned to online teaching and learning (e-education) within weeks of the pandemic.
As such, key interventions have been put in place to support the continuity of their children’s learning during the Covid-19 pandemic in their countries.
While developed nations were one step ahead with an immediate immeasurable switch to online learning, developing nations are lagging behind due to shortfalls in funding and other related matters.
Such as many developing countries around the world, PNG is still lagging behind in terms of e-learning or e-education both in general education and likewise, tertiary education.
Some privately run institutions such as International Education Agency (IEA) schools, Kopkop College and Divine Word University, to name a few, are already on par with global technology and online/digital education.
Government-run schools are miles behind. Countries over the world, including PNG, are facing challenges associated with the Covid-19 pandemic.
While the Government focuses on minimising the spread of the virus through restrictions on movement of people, its impact is taking a toll on different areas.
Students’ education is one of these areas.
Education security embraces all measures taken to combat threats to students’ learning and its continuousness in times of such crisis.
The National Research Institute recently released a report highlighting the need for the Education Department to have in place an emergency response or operation plan for any pandemic including the Covid-19.
Every school in PNG should have a crisis response plan (CRP) to respond to outbreaks such as the Covid-19 pandemic.
The plan should outline a number of specific action plans schools can use in response to the pandemic.
It is important that students are provided with holistic support. Schools should continue to provide children with vital information on hand washing and other measures to protect themselves and their families, facilitate mental health support, and help to prevent stigma and discrimination by encouraging students to be kind to each other and avoid stereotypes when talking about the covid-19.
We concur with Kilala Devette-Chee from NRI that as long as schools are prepared well in terms of re-organising students’ sitting arrangements in the classroom, one text book or one learning resource per child, health and hygiene measures prepared and most importantly toilets are upgraded to the standard approved by the Health department, parents will be at ease and will willingly let their children attend school.