GNAT supports school closures

Schools across the country reopened on Monday after ten months of closure

The Ghana National Teachers Association (GNAT) has lobbied various institutions calling for the re-closure of basic schools.

According to the association, until the government makes personal protective equipment (PPE) available to the various schools as promised on time, the schools should be closed again.

Association President Philippa Larson revealed that after visiting some schools after they reopened, she observed that most students did not wear nasal masks, did not use hand sanitizer and, most importantly , completely ignored all COVID-19 security protocols.

The Institute for Education Studies (IFEST) earlier today called on the Ghana Ministry of Education and Department of Education to suspend reopening of schools until all relevant PPE promised by the government be distributed to all schools.

IFES Executive Director Peter Anti said that after campaigning for the schools to reopen, IFES became woefully disappointed that the president failed to provide basic masks and other PPE to schools.

IFES and GNAT leaders have advised parents to provide their wards with face masks at the start of the quarter in anticipation of the government’s postponement.

President Akufo-Addo, in his 21st address to the nation on measures taken against COVID-19, announced that kindergarten, elementary and middle school children in private and public schools will return to school from January 15, 2021.

He also pledged government support for schools to keep students safe with school resumption.

Including the fumigation and disinfection of schools and other institutions across the country, he pledged to equip all schools and students with the personal protective equipment (PPE) and isolation centers necessary to deal with all cases of COVID-19 positive.