Huge task awaits teachers with ‘new normal’ in schools

 

Any teacher, student or staff who records a temperature of more than 37.5 degrees Celsius will be asked to return home immediately

PETALING JAYA: In what appears to be the education ministry “leaving nothing to chance,” a set of tough guidelines have been laid out for schools when they start reopening in stages from Oct 3 in what the ministry calls Schools 3.0

The 120-page guideline gives teachers and school administrators additional responsibilities, including setting up of Covid-19 special isolation rooms, areas for self-test, forming a special committee and watching over the students throughout the day, among others.

Realising that the long school shutdown from March last year may have unsettled some students, the ministry has tasked teachers in charge of counselling to implement periodic Mental Health Screening as part of the “new normal” in schools.

Based on the recommendations, the movement of school children will be controlled in a regimented system, with one-way exit and entry lanes, waiting areas before dismissal, staggered dismissal depending on the pupils’ mode of transport.

“Each school must also set up a Covid-19 committee headed by the principal to assess the situation in the school periodically. Unvaccinated teachers and administrators cannot be in the same office, staff room or classroom. Separate rooms must be created for them.

“Schools must ensure that classrooms and all other areas and buildings must be cleaned before school begins and after dismissal every day,” the ministry said.

It said the primary focus of cleaning must be on surfaces that are constantly touched like door knobs and handles, switches, taps, lift buttons, toilet seats and bannisters at staircases.

No air-con – use fans

Schools are advised to avoid using air-conditioning and instead use fans; doors and windows must be always kept open, and the use of curtains and carpets is barred in all rooms.

“If at all there is a need for air-conditioning, the temperature should be maintained between 23 -26 degrees Celsius,” it said.

For body temperature, any teacher, student or staff who records a temperature of more than 37.5 degrees Celsius will be asked to return home immediately. All Covid-19 positive cases in schools must be kept a secret.

School facilities such as halls and suraus are only to be used by teachers and students; no outsiders, including VIPs, are to be allowed into schools for any purpose other than maintenance.

It said schools must also obtain the help of police and Rela among others to ensure students go home after school and not loiter outside the premises.

On mental health screening, the ministry said counselling teachers must implement this periodically to support the students’ emotional development, and have intervention programmes for those identified as having mental health issues.

“These students must be sent for immediate clinical assessment and treatment especially those who have hurt themselves, endangering themselves to those involved in abuse. These teachers must consult the parents and guardians of these students,” the ministry said.

Students to eat in class

The guidelines said teachers must ensure that canteen operators only serve packed food and the students eat in their respective classrooms under the supervision of teachers during the break.

“Those in air-conditioned classrooms must consume their food in open areas watched by the teachers. As for teachers, they must eat in the staff room individually,” it said.

The ministry has encouraged parents and guardians to send packed food from home for the children to eat during recess time, adding that they should also ensure they eat a healthy breakfast before coming to school.

“They should also advise the students not to share their food and drinks with others,” it added. - FMT