(Trinidad Express) SOCIAL distancing is a challenge in schools.
This was the response yesterday from several primary school principals after two schools were closed within days of each other as a result of possible exposure to Covid-19.
Speaking with the Express, principal of Nelson Street Girls’ RC School Lisa Hinds-Lynch said, “We are still having a challenge with social distancing. We continue to enforce the rule of physical distancing but of course as children, that is a very hard task.”
Hinds-Lynch said since the pupils are having difficulty adhering to keeping their distance, she decided to intensify other rules such as taking their temperature three times a day— at entry on a morning, at break time and after lunch, instead of only once when they entered the school.
Next door at Nelson Street Boys’ RC School, principal Frances Gervais-Heath said, “Social distancing is a challenge. We now have added measures such as having pupils sanitise their hands even when they go up to write on the black boards.
“I believe parents need to be further educated on what is going on as well, because a more informed society will ensure that we all make better decisions such as keeping our children at home if they appear to be ill.”
Drop in attendance
Principals also told the Express they saw a decrease in attendance of pupils yesterday and believe parents are becoming fearful over the safety of their children in school.
Principal of Arima Boys’ Government School Kurt Fleming said, “Today there was a drop in attendance. I even had to send some pupils home because their temperatures were a bit higher than 37 (degrees). I am very cautious with anyone showing even the slightest symptoms. At this point, we have to be for the sake of all of our pupils and teachers.”
A principal of another primary school in Arima who did not want to be identified said, “What we have been doing is talking to our children and reminding them about social distancing over and over again. We have to take personal responsibility as adults and parents especially need to inform children about the risk of the virus and ensure that they use their masks.
“Some children are even travelling to get to school and they are not wearing masks in the maxi or anything so we do not know who they are coming in contact with en route to school.
“I am telling my pupils to have two masks now. Put one in your bag and one in your pocket so they will have a backup in case of anything.”
Principals also pointed out that pupils had the option to wear their masks in class, but many were not wearing it the correct way.
Gervais-Heath said, “They are wearing the masks on their chin, their ears and not doing it properly.”
Overall, the principals said they believed pupils were not fearful of the virus so they were doing all in their power to ensure the children’s safety in school.