COVID-19: Don't pressure government to reopen schools; it’s not safe – Dep. Education minister
- The Deputy Minister of Education in-charge of Basic and Secondary Education, has stated that the reopening of schools should be delayed
- Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum said that would ensure the safety of the students in the wake of COVID-19 outbreak
- He called on individuals not to mount pressure on the government to reopen schools like has been done in China's biggest cities and other countries
Our Manifesto: This is what YEN.com.gh believes in
Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum, Deputy Minister of Education in-charge of Basic and Secondary Education, has stated that the reopening of schools should be delayed a little longer owing to the COVID-19 scare.
According to him, the delay would ensure the safety of the students in the wake of COVID-19 spread.
Speaking on Citi TV’s Point of View, Dr Adutwum called on individuals not to mount pressure on the government to reopen schools like has been done in China's biggest cities, where older students will start to return to school.
READ ALSO: Fact check: GES has not set date for schools to reopen
Dr Adutwum said the closure of the institutions was a safety measure devised by the government to prevent a spread of the virus in schools and should be in force until scientific data suggests otherwise.
“We are running this country and we are fighting this fight based on science and facts. If the environment is not safe for students to be in school, they cannot be in school.”
He added that unlike the military regime when universities were closed for political reasons, this time around, the reason for the closure was to protect the students.
On March 15, 2020, in the president's second address to the nation, he directed that all schools in the country be shut down effective Monday, March 16, 2020.
READ ALSO: COVID-19: Parents should act as teachers for their kids - Matthew Opoku Prempeh
Meanwhile, Education Minister, Mathew Opoku Prempeh has made some salient points with regards to education following the closure of all institutions of learning due to COVID-19.
According to him, despite the massive intervention of technology in keeping education running, there is no way education can be achieved without the teacher's presence.
In view of this, the minister called on parents to take up the role the teachers used to play in the lives of their kids, and educate them.
Speaking in an interview with TV3's Portia Gabor, on government's plans for the education sector during these COVID-19 times, the minister stated that teachers cannot be put in every home but there are teachers in every home in the form of parents.
READ ALSO: COVID-19: SHS WASSCE candidates likely to do 1-year national service– Napo
Low-cost ventilators produced in Ghana by Prof. Fred McBagonluri | #Yencomgh
Use the comments section below to share your views on this story.
Do you have a story to share or you have information for us?
Get featured on YEN.com.gh. Message us on Facebook
Source: YEN.com.gh
