Dear Editor,
There are two things that I first wish to say about the Ministry of Education’s decision to reopen public schools to a limited student audience. I appreciate that the government wants to be on the move, or to be seen to be, in its efforts to confront the COVID-19 pandemic scourging most of the world and Guyana for over a long, deadly half year. And the second is that this is unwise and harbours the potential for wider, more rapid, spread; and damage.
I start by highlighting a place with which I am familiar, The Marian Academy. It is a private institution of learning, but one that occasionally takes some cues from developments in the public education sector. Marian is in a less congested space out by the ocean; it also has more space to spread out children (auditorium, basketball court, music room, one class with a removable dividing wall) to meet social distancing requirements. Next, I estimate that approximately 75% of the student population attend (delivered and uplifted) via private family vehicles. Some use taxis, and a handful travel back and forth in public minibuses.
My point is that the risk of exposure is, I venture, marginally lesser (only) and this is at a facility that has all these positives and difference makers going for its children and adults. I must note, however, that a number of staff members use public transportation daily. So, cumulatively, though reduced, the risk of exposure and peril is still present, and this is with sensible consideration of masks, hand sanitizing, social distancing, Vitamin C, and whatever else is practiced as part of a protective routine.
On the other hand, most, if not all the advantages identified above as pertaining to The Marian Academy, do not apply to many of Guyana’s public schools. I prefer to leave the point about space availability alone, as that could change from school to school, but in too many places in the public system, it is not as sprawling as healthily dealing with the COVID-19 virus requires. This is what worries me no end and, I am sure, parents, teachers, and children. As us older folks should identify with well, the latter group would characteristically want to get out of the house and get on with living, virus or no virus. There is too much living bottled up, the blood is hot and thin, and there resides a risky recipe.
What worries more is that most public-school students, by circumstances, make use of public transportation. It would mainly be minibuses, but also involves speedboats. From my perspective, therein lies great danger to those travelling (since the virus can be so easily transmitted) and the still greater danger of becoming unknowingly and potentially a carrier and spreader. The downside is bottomless with some considerations.
First, teenagers may not be the best observers of social distancing and mask wearing requirements. Second, this is intensified where romance or rivalry flourishes; or consultation and conversation for academic purposes are necessary. Third, there is always going to be the daredevils and mockers among the young, who throw caution to the winds and challenge others to do similarly; more negative peer pressure operating. When these factors are considered, I sense potential for great trouble.
I think the government erred on this one; I think similarly about curfew compression and international airports reopening. The airports, if all protocols are strictly and constantly followed, provides the most comfort, since the requirements and standards called for represent the sum of what is known about what to do. So, on airports, I can be understanding and flexible. But, I am unable to do so with the curfew and school reopening decisions.
I believe that I have a solid, if not expansive, understanding of the contributors to the State’s decision(s). There are some that could be reasoned with and supported; but there are the negatives, which I think could obscure and overwhelm the pluses. As examples of the positives, the government wishes to infuse a sense of energy, purpose, leadership, and conviction relative to pandemic decisions; and to inspire citizens and commercial interests that both must rise and conquer what stands before. I can only agree with that for confidence building and moving forward, but with strong reservations and qualifications, which emphasizes the risky minuses gambled with and which could multiply.
Currently, Guyana is in a place of uncertainty with the virus. Though lesser recently, the number of confirmed cases is still alarming. Then, the death toll is not at a standstill. Also, I submit that our reported new cases are only as inclusive as the number of tests conducted. Stated otherwise, more testing could mean more new cases. Further, there is national familiarity with practices (bars, markets, and so forth) where there is scant compliance with known regulations. And because of strained health capacity to absorb those infected, reopening schools could lead to severe problems.
When all the above is weighed soberly, I wish that the government had done otherwise with our schools. Another month waited, arrangements and plans fine-tuned, would have been more acceptable and supportable.
Yours faithfully,
GHK Lall
