The Union of Professional Educators - Voice of the Workers has issued a number of directives, telling its members not to correct the homework of students who are sick.

In a statement, the union said it is truly concerned about the well-being of its members following the most recent developments and spread of the Covid-19 in neighbouring countries.

"The UPE expects the Ministry of Education to take prompt and peremptory action in the prevention of the spread of the virus through the expeditious provision of hand sanitizers or alcohol rubs, functioning water heaters and adequate soap in bathrooms within school premises."

The union said that the Ministry should clamp down on any students who are being sent to school with flu-like symptoms to avoid the spread of the COVID-19 or any related virus which might prove to be detrimental to our educators' health.

As a precautionary measure, to avoid the contagion and spread of the above mentioned virus, the Union is issuing the following directives to its members working in State, Church and Independent schools:

Educators who are members of the UPE will not assign or correct any homework of sick students.

Educators who are members of the UPE will not attend any mass gatherings organised by the school such as, Cope sessions, SDPs, Mass or Assemblies.

Educators who are members of the UPE are to report students who exhibit flu-like symptoms and are to refrain from keeping them in class.

Educators who are members of the UPE should not accept any students who have been away or who have been sent home from school, in class, unless they are in possession of a valid medical certificate declaring them fit for school.

LSEs members of the UPE are not to accept the responsibility of supervising any child exhibiting flu-like symptoms while waiting to be picked up from school by parents or legal guardians.

Educators members of the UPE should be allowed to use surgical disposable gloves when handling students' materials or technological devices.