By Ibrahim Joenal Sesay
September 19, 2020, (SALONE TIMES)
FREETOWN – The National Covid-19 Response Team has commenced eight day training of trainers’ workshop for teachers urging them to be role models in the fight against Covid-19. This is part of the preventive measures for the re-opening of schools in October this year and.
The official launch took place at the Hill Valley Hotel, Signal Hill, Freetown, on Monday 14th September.
At the end of the 8 days engagement 950 teachers from the Junior secondary schools will be trained across the country. Each set of trainers will spend two day of intensive training across the country. The first set of training started from the 14th to 15th September, 2020.
The Risk Communication Pillar Lead Harold Thomas described the training as timely as it will equip the teachers with sound and adequate information on COVID-19 and the preventive measures before the re-opening of schools.
He said it was 26 weeks then that Sierra Leone got her first case and the country was getting on the downward trend on the number of cases and increase in testing.
With such gains, Thomas said, they would not want to reverse the trend as their goal was to reach zero. He cautioned people who continue to say that there was no more Corona in the country. This he said will put the country at risk. He cited countries in Europe, America and Africa that saw the twist of the virus after they relaxed some of their measures which is telling Sierra Leone about the things she must do.
He encouraged them to continue washing their hands with clean water and soap to stay safe, properly use of face mask and also maintain social distancing.
“Let us put our hands together and make sure what we learn here is passed on to the children.
Mrs. Fatmata Kaiwa Director for Science, Technical and Higher Education said as a ministry they recognized that the longer children as well as the young people stay away from schools the less they would ever return to school.
She went on to say there are increased risked faced by girls, children, disabled persons and other venerable groups in the face of Covid-19 pandemic.
She pointed out that if they want to prevent this down ward trend, all stakeholders in the health and education sectors should come together and corroborate on ways to contain the pandemic as soon as possible.
In his keynote address, spokesperson of NaCOVERC Solomon Jamiru said the training has two key objectives which are to increase knowledge and skills in the principle and practices of IPC among school teachers and to build capacity in the appropriate application of Infection, Prevention and Control measures in schools.
On March 31st he said schools were closed after President Bio announced the index case of the country, which he said that was an IPC precaution of schools.
He went on to say that decision to close schools, no matter how difficult it was constituted a critical part of their mandate to keep the children safe.
He noted that they have seen restrictions relaxed in a range of areas including lifting of inter-districts lockdown, resumption of congregational worship, resumption of commercial flights and adjustment of curfew.
He continued to say they have also been concerned about the educational development of their children, which informed the sequential easing of restriction for schools and tertiary institutions.
“In light of the decision to fully reopen schools and tertiary institutions, we have a responsibility to ensure that IPC becomes a defining feature of our learning environment. That is what I believe has informed this session. Let us all keep our kinds and student safe in and out of schools.”
Psychosocial Pillar Lead Ansu Konneh disclosed that 311 children have contacted corona in the country. He said some children are exposing to domestic abuse.
The Pillar Lead for Social Mobilization, Alfred Jamiru demonstrated the proper use of face mask and also called on his audience to be a role model.
IPC, WHO Rep, Ibrahim Kamara said WHO and team have done a lot of interventions and progress together. He said they need to prepare the teachers to act as role models in their schools, communities and homes.
He added that evidence has showed that it is more important for children to come to school than to stay at home.
“IPC is for all of us and if we implement it, we will protect ourselves and our community.”
A silent prayer as paying of tribute to the 72 souls that have succumbed to Covid-19 was held and commiserations to the bereaved families were conveyed.
