Parents and teachers urged to help Children comply with covid-19 preventive measures

By Elias Hakizimana.

As most of the schools are reopened to welcome children, parents and teachers are advised to continue helping children to comply with COVID-19 preventive measures.

The current situation at schools in Kigali shows that they are prepared with hand washing facilities, increased classrooms, an isolation room that helps to cater for some children who may be identified with symptoms of Covid-19.

Speaking to various children from some schools in Kigali City, The Inspirer has learnt that there are still challenges that require adequate education by both parents and teachers.

Children are tested before entering classrooms at Groups Scolaire Remera Protestant. / The New Times.

Aristide Musabe, 18, is a senior 6-student at College George Fox in Remera, Gasabo district. He said that children at his school know very well the preventive measures against Covid-19 and try to respect them; but with another mindset to be close to their peers as if there was no pandemic around.

“We respect Covid-19 preventive guidelines at school by washing our hands many times with clean water and soap, we keep social distancing and we have an isolation room to care for one who shows the symptoms. One challenge remains children’s mindset to be together in mass gatherings as if there was no COVID-19. We need to always come to school prepared and with the knowledge that the pandemic is there.” Musabe said.

He advises little children of nursery to primary four who are soon starting their lessons in January 2021 to understand that covid-19 is not a friend of people. “They need to understand that this pandemic is a threat to our health.” He noted.

Joella Ashimweyesu, 15, is a student in Senior 3 at Saint Paul International School in Remera said that every child gets tested for temperature and wash hands before entering the school every morning.

As elder student, she noted that there still a challenge to tell little children how bad Covid-19 is.

“Nursery and primary-1, p2, and p4 children do not know how bad Covid-19 is because they are still too young to manage the situation of preventing the pandemic, what I can advise them is to put on face masks always when they are at school, avoid hugging and touching in one’s hands, keep 1-meter distancing and wash their hands with clean water and soap; and respect teachers’ advise.” Ashimweyesu said.

“I advise my friends little children of nursery and p1, p2, p3 and p4 to avoid touching their faces, noses and mouth.” Said Dorcas Kamugisha, 11-year-old student in p5 at St Paul International School.

Ange Uwineza, 11, is a student in p5 at E.S.S.I Nyamirambo in Nyarugenge District said that they are prepared, but they worry about their little brothers and sisters in kindergarten and Primary 1,2 and 3. “we can understand and respect the preventive measures, but how will a nursery school child or others in p1, p2 and p3 will manage?” she wondered.

The Inspirer reached Sector Education Officers (SEOs) in various sectors in Gasabo district to know a clear image of how schools are prepared to help little children comply with covid-19 preventive measures.

Jean Claude Ndamutsa, SEO of Rusororo sector in Gasabo district said that stringent measures to prevent the pandemic were established by schools. These include many hand washing facilities, thermometers, and increased number of classrooms.

Advice to parents

“Parents and teacher need to further educate children about Covid-19. Parents need also to buy face masks to children and teachers should respect the seats with two children on one seat. There are some groups of teachers who must wash children’s hands and some schools hired extra personnel to do that. We encourage them to keep up this.” Ndamutsa said.

However, he said that one challenge remains some classrooms that are not yet completed to help children have social distancing.

Lambert Riziki, SEO of Gatsata sector in Gasabo District said that most of the schools in Gatsata have put in place all possible facilities to help children abide by covid-19 preventive measures.

He said that parents need to continue teaching children how to wash hands and wear face masks. “We also request parents to tell children to respect the guidelines while at school.” He noted.

Children’s Voice Today (CVT), a local organization that promotes Child Rights and wellbeing also requests parents and teachers to help children adhere to prevention measures against Covid-19.

Theodore Nzeyimana, Programme Manager of CVT told The Inspirer that they have did a lot in sensitizing Chilren and their parents about how to prevent against Covid-19 since it started to hit Rwandans.

He reminded Children and parents as well as teachers that the pandemic is still around and requested teachers to keep up efforts in helping children to respect prevention measures as they spend a long time with them.

“We believe that Children are more safer when they are at school together with teachers than when they are at home, we request teachers to take their control in their hands, follow how they play and ensure that they have washed hands, they are keeping 1 meter social distancing and wear face masks very well. They will have double protection from home to school.” Nzeyimana said.

Children’s Voice Today works with groups of children in 15 districts of Rwanda and mainly focuses its activities in five districts including Nyarugenge, Kirehe, Burera, Rutsiro and Ruhango.

A cabinet meeting held on Friday, September 25 concluded school reopening after six months of closure due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Students in primary 5 and 6, those in senior 3, 5 and 6, those in TVET and students in TTC resumed second term studies on November 2 and end them on April 2, 2021. Primary four pupils and students in senior one, two and four kicked-off their second term on November 23.

Lower primary and pre-primary will resume their studies in January but the date is yet to be communicated.

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