Visionary Reports

Schools in Douala Cameroon are already taking disposition to stop the spread of Covid 19.

In prelude to the resumption of schools on the first of June 2020, most school authorities in Douala are  resolute to ensure that the school environment is  safe for pupils and students. They are equally putting in place strategies to ensure that children don’t get infected with the Covid 19. As per the decision of the Prime Minister of Cameroon, only examination classes are expected in school as such social distancing will be effective. In a sojourn in some schools in Douala on May 18, 2020, liengusdiary discovered that some of the administrative staff were present, while renovation works were ongoing in some schools others were busy cleaning their environment and arranging the benches to ensure that social distancing is strictly respected. On the other hand, some school gates were simply closed without a single soul around.

In a chat with the principal of Government Bilingual High School Joss, Douala ,Ndebia Jean, they are working in line with the  Prime ministerial instructions to reinforce barrier measures to combat Covid 19. He revealed that they have ordered for masks which will be given to each student.  He was quick to add that “No teacher or student will be allowed in class without a mask”. To him, wash hand buckets and soap, hand sanitizers will be positioned at the entrance of each class and children will seat two per bench as oppose to three or four which was the case before.  The principal further reiterated that less than 50 students will sit per class and during each lesson, teachers are expected to sensitize their students on the Covid 19 pandemic. “From next week, all the classes will be disinfected and the benches arranged so as to ensure that social distancing is effective.

On his part, the Regional Delegate of education for the littoral region  Edjang Njenji Guillaume added that before June 1, all schools in the littoral region are expected to  put in place barrier measures against Covid 19. “The measures that the prime minister instructed are still in place and will be strictly respected in schools. Schools have to put in place wash hands buckets and hand sanitizers” he said. He reiterated that the cleanliness of the entire school should be of priority  as he has  written to all divisional delegates and principals on additional  measures which will be put in place to prevent the entry of Covid 19 in the school milieu.

 GINA ESONG