Parents unhappy with class sizes as schools reopen

Some parents in Koforidua expressed concern about the generally high number of children in a classroom, especially in public schools.

They said the class sizes would make it difficult for schools to observe social distancing protocol and prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

The government announced the reopening of kindergarten, elementary, middle and high schools after schools closed in March 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Some of the parents, who spoke to GNA in separate interviews, welcomed the government’s decision to reopen the schools on January 18.

However, they expressed concern that the government has not asked schools to guarantee a reduction in the number of students who can sit in a class.

While agreeing that schools should be open, they wanted the government to give clear instruction on how social distancing would be observed in classrooms in order to minimize the spread of not only the coronavirus, but even coughs and coughs. cold.

Parents believed that social distancing would reduce congestion, which was common in many public schools, and added that reducing class size to observe social distancing was essential in preventative measures.

Mr. Kwame Apati, a parent, told GNA that his children aged six and eight attend public schools with grades of 54 and 61 respectively.

He wonders how these children could follow the social distancing protocol if class sizes were not reduced to limit the spread of the disease.

He said common infections such as colds and coughs usually spread quickly in the classroom due to congestion and appealed to the Ghana Education Service (GES) to find a way to reduce class sizes. in order to limit the spread of the coronavirus.

Ms Joyce Yayo, retired nurse and grandmother, said she had always expressed concern about the size of classes in her grandchildren’s school and that she would find it difficult to allow them to return at school.

She said the social distancing protocol was very important, especially when all grades including kindergarten return to school and appealed to the GES to ensure class sizes are reduced to protect students. disease children.

—GNA