'We missed being in school’, teachers and parents welcome ‘new normal’ for education in Bahrain

The schools set up hand washing stations at entrances, as well as soap and bleach stations.
 Other measures like temperature checks with the use of infrared thermometers and hand washing stations were also integrated into school life. Some of the children clutched firmly on to their parents’ hands as they were marched up to the school gates. But most of them had a spring in their step. They were really excited returning to school after their extended break.

Although, admittedly, others seemed to have felt fearful and nervous of going back to school with the number of reported COVID-19 cases in the kingdom still on the rise. On their way to school, both teachers and children wore facemasks, observed physical distancing, and followed hygiene practices. Specifically, social distancing among the students was strictly practiced while in classrooms.

“I missed my school seat,” said 13-year-old Mohammed who joyfully greeted his friends he had not seen for months. “It’s great to see them back,” said Ebrahim, who was dropping off his daughter, who he said, “barely slept last night, she couldn’t wait to get back in.”

Tariq, who dropped off his 10-year-old son, said: “It’s been more than seven months – our children really need to go back to school to continue learning. Of course, we parents are still concerned about coronavirus, but we are confident our school and health authorities can do their best to keep our children safe.” Fatema, a single parent, was escorting her son, 11, back to school. “He has missed learning and friends,” she said.

Teachers were also delighted to be welcoming their students back. “We are glad that we are all going to be back in school doing the things that we love – sharing stories, reading books, hearing about all the things everybody’s been getting up to and getting started with our learning,” a teacher narrated. Nurseries have been working with the Heath Ministry to develop safety precautions for the reopening of schools. This began with the development of re-opening guidelines drawing on global best practices and the provision of basic hygiene supplies.

On the other hand, the Education Ministry has developed a COVID-19 response plan and participated in a back-to-school campaign aimed at limiting the risk and spread of the coronavirus. As part of the campaign, posters were distributed to all nurseries, as well as messages in digital and traditional media. In coordination with health authorities, nurseries are applying the guidelines issued by the Ministry strictly and meticulously to protect public health, especially that of children during their presence at the nurseries.

Preventive measures include daily sterilisation of their buildings, and employment of a nurse in the nursery accommodating 100 children and above. Nannies are also obliged to wear face shields while on duty, and only a family member are allowed to accompany the child to the nursery and take him/her later in the day. As part of the health measures, parents are committed to providing home-made food and drinks to their children, with the nursery only providing sterilised water bottles if necessary.

Image credit : Al Ayam