'Ensure child knows what to expect at school with Covid-19 safety measures'

*HMC offers tips to support children as they return to school

 

With the new school year set to begin and Covid-19 preventive measures still in place, Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) has provided some tips to support children as they return to school. The HMC advisory was published on social media on Tuesday. The advisory urges parents to help children feel confident about heading into the classroom and talk to them about what they are looking forward to and any concerns they may have."Ensure your child knows what to expect at school with the Covid-19 safety measures, including what's expected of them for face masks, social distancing and hand hygiene," it stressed. "Get back into the school-day routine early, such as sleep routines and mealtimes. Planning appropriate school, homework and play times helps set expectations." Children sense if their parents are anxious, HMC points out. "Stay calm and reassured; this will help prevent any anxiety from your child."The advisory adds that the 16000 helpline is a free and confidential service to provide support for people experiencing stress and anxiety as a result of the current Covid-19 pandemic.The Ministry of Education and Higher Education (MoEHE) had recently announced its decision to adopt the blended education system for the 2021/2022 academic year, with rotation attendance system in place on campus for government schools starting from August 29 and for private schools and kindergartens according to their academic calendars.All government, private schools and kindergartens have to maintain 50% attendance. The situation will be continuously monitored and assessed in direct co-ordination with the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH). The decision is based on the updated indicators published by the MoPH on the Covid-19 pandemic and in line with the precautionary measures set by the State to contain the spread of infection.It was also decided to make it mandatory for students from Grades 1 to 12 to wearing masks throughout their presence on the school premises. The precautionary measures inside educational buildings will remain in force, as it is mandatory for all government and private schools to ensure a number of measures, which include the following: dividing students into groups of a maximum of 15 students each, while maintaining a social distance of 1.5m between each student; commitment to wearing the face mask across all school stages, starting with Grade 1 in the primary stage; continuously observing the bubble system inside classrooms and organising the entry and exit of students to prevent overcrowding; maintaining 50% capacity on school buses when transporting students; and cancellation of the morning assembly and group activities, including trips, camps and celebrations. The events can be organised remotely.Parents have also been encouraged to support their children aged 12 years and above to get vaccinated against Covid-19 ahead of the new academic year. "With schools due to start their new year at the end of August, it is important that as many children as possible are vaccinated in order to ensure a safe school environment. Please contact your primary healthcare centre to make an appointment for your child to get the vaccine, or make an appointment via the PHCC mobile app," said Dr Hana Khudair Saleh, Community Medicine specialist at the Primary Health Care Corporation, in a video message posted on the social media platforms of the MoPH recently.