By KAOBWE BWALYA
MOST pupils that reported for school yesterday had their masks on, with hand sanitisers as well as observing social distance.
A check by the Daily Nation in Lusaka found that in most schools pupils had face masks and school management were not allowing anyone to enter the premises without a mask on.
Pupils from St. Maurice in Lusaka’s Garden House were found having class lessons wearing their masks
St. Maurice Primary and Secondary school head teacher, Sr Maria Mwanza said the school would not allow any pupil entering the premises without a face mask as guided by the Ministry of Health.
Sr Mwanza explained that, before the schools reopened, the school management had put everything in place by providing enough space for learners, including hand washing dishes and hand sanitisers for teachers.
Sr Mwanza also said, the school had engaged officials from the Ministry of Health, who had time to sensitise teachers on the dangers of Covid-19 and how to handle the learners in school.
She also said the school would be fumigating classrooms weekly and pupils were now sitting two on each desk and the teacher- pupil ratio has also been reduced to 45 per class indoors to keep social distance.
She said no parent or guardian would be allowed to enter the school premises without a mask and with no concrete reason.
“Most pupils from St. Maurice have reported for class and were all in face masks and were also observing social distance, but the school management would not allow any parent or guardian a to enter into the school premises without any concrete reason and without a mask,” said Sr. Mwanza.
At Chibolya Primary and Secondary School pupils have thanked the government for the reopening of schools, but made an appeal through DMMU to consider distributing face mask as some learners had only one face mask.
Rhodah Chanda, a Grade 11 pupil noted how deadly Covid was, therefore the need for DMMU to start the distribution of face masks now.
She however observed that pupils from primary section were not observing social distance, and others were easily taking off their masks.
Meanwhile, Garden Glove Academy School a private school has also put stringent measures to ensure that pupils would not be allowed to enter the school which would open next week on Monday.
Head teacher Haggai Kafula said the school would open next week as it was still putting things in order and was also making assessment test for grade ones.
