Educators have returned to 107 state schools across the country for the start of the 2020/21 scholastic year, following the implementation of more than 50 measures in the past weeks and after a risk assessment was conducted in all schools.
“The risk assessments of each and every state school were concluded by independent risk assessors on the OHSA register, who certified all these schools as being in line with the protocols set by the Health Authorities and that these have been completely implemented,” said Minister for Education and Employment Owen Bonnici, during a visit to the Valletta Primary School.
This reflects work that began with the closure of schools last March due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with the help and through discussions with all stakeholders in the sector, which led to educators returning to their workplace today.
During his visit, Minister Bonnici met with the Principal, the Head of the School and with the educators, and discussed with them their first day back at school and the measures which are fully implemented to see that educators are protected by drastically reducing the risk of infection. The measures also apply to the return of the students who will start over a period of not more than one week starting from the 7th October, 2020, until the 14th October, when all students will be back to school.
There are various measures in place which start at the school gate, where the temperature of those authorised to enter the schools is taken and hand sanitisers are used upon entering. Measures range from the distance between the chairs of the educators to those of the students, to protocols to be taken both in common spaces, educators’ meetings and the wearing of masks and/or visors.
At the entrance of every school, a security officer will see that all those entering the building adhere to the protocols.
During this week, until the students start school, the educators will be engaged with preparations to start welcoming the students for this scholastic year starting on the 7th of October.
Minister Owen Bonnici thanked all the educators for their commitment and dedication and all the staff in the education sector, who in the past weeks and months made sure that all state schools were up to the required standard to be able to open for this new scholastic year.
