Team Herald
PANJIM: Stating that precautions are necessary to prevent the potential spread of COVID-19 in school settings, the Directorate of Education (DoE) has asked schools to ensure that sick students, teachers and other staff do not attend classes.
In a circular issued to heads of institutions, Deputy Director Shailesh Sinal Zingde has also said that care must be taken to avoid stigmatizing students and staff, who may have been exposed to the virus.
The DoE has issued guidelines for prevention and control of coronavirus in schools, as per which, institutions have been asked not to allow sick students, teachers and other staff to come to school.
Schools are also directed to enforce regular hand washing with safe water and soap, hand sanitizer or chlorine solution and at a minimum, daily disinfection and cleaning of school surface which are touched by a large number of people daily like railing, door handles, sports equipments, etc.
Schools are directed to provide water, sanitation and waste management facilities and follow environmental cleaning and decontamination procedures.
“Schools should promote social distancing,” the circular mentioned.
Heads of schools are also instructed to advise parents of their students to monitor the child health and keep them home from school if they are ill. They have to also teach and model good hygiene practices.
“Prevent stigma by using facts and reminding students to be considerate of one another,” it added.
