“Preventing a learning crisis from becoming a generational catastrophe requires urgent action from all. Education is not only a fundamental human right. It is an enabling right with direct impact on the realization of all other human rights.”

This quote is taken from the recent publication by the United Nations, last month to be exact, titled “Education during COVID-19 and beyond”.

During meetings held not only with local stakeholders, but also with my European counterparts, and also with the World Health Organisations, it was established from the very beginning around the world that schools cannot remain closed. Obviously with the educators and students’ health a priority, and with the proper protocols in place based on scientific evidence.

It is imperative that schools reopen for the next scholastic year. Children should return to their education during the coronavirus outbreak, as students are more likely to be harmed if they don’t attend school. Re-opening of in-person learning is a balance of the educational needs of the students and taking the necessary precautions to minimise the risk of transmission of COVID-19 to the school community and beyond.

Returning to school will look different this year, with students divided up into “cohorts” and with guidelines in place, worldwide.

Malta will be re-opening its schools on 28 September. Locally, the guidelines for primary and secondary schools for the coming scholastic year were published on Wednesday, after lengthy and thorough discussions with all those involved, not least with the Health Authorities. All schools are to adapt the guidelines according to the specific setup of each and every individual school.

The guidelines are meant to mitigate, as much as possible, against the transmission of COVID-19. Although the risk of infection is reduced, it can never be completely eliminated, so cooperation from all parties involved is a high priority.

The underlining factor is distancing, with an adequate physical distance, and personal precautions; the wearing of a face mask or visor and proper washing of one’s hands - which, anyway is a normal personal hygiene requirement - and sanitizing of hands.

I will not go into detail about the guidelines, as these have been widely reported in all media. However one must say that physical distance is considered as the main measure which mitigates against viral transmission. Implementing this measure includes adequate distance between desks, students and staff as per recommended social distances, placing the least number of students possible in each classroom to create more space in a classroom, staggering class times, breaks and lunch times, and spending more time outdoors.

Masks or visors in closed community public spaces have been introduced as a mandatory measure. The use of masks or visors in schools has been implemented in various ways with countries adapting this measure according to their specific scenarios.

The idea of maintaining small clusters of students that do not mix is also a key consideration to reduce the risk of transmission. All logistical solutions need to be considered to achieve this aim.

One common query I have been asked is the realty of sick children and the COVID-19 situation. As is normally the case, children tend to get sick during the scholastic year, and this would be more pronounced once winter sets in and the influenza season starts. Whilst it is the prerogative of each attending doctor to review the status of a sick child, public health will be working with GPs and paediatricians to outline a framework to guide doctors, educators and parents on how to deal with sick children, including a testing protocol for children with respiratory illness during COVID-19.

Hygiene and cleanliness is also imperative. Premises and resources will be cleaned daily using approved products. I emphasise that the Ministry and the Education Department will be strictly sticking to the Health Authorities guidelines where this is concerned.

Common resources used by students will be cleaned appropriately at regular intervals, and at the beginning and end of the day; floor cleaning will be carried out more frequently; and particular attention will be given to door handles, handrails, light switches, tables, phones and all grip areas.

To make sure that all guidelines are being adhered to, a COVID-19 contact person will be assigned in each school to see to the implementation of the guidance document.

These are just a gist of what the guideline document is recommending. The Ministry and the Education Department is doing its utmost, with continued discussions on the matter.

However it is important that cooperation comes from all. Parents and custodians are expected to carry out an assessment of symptoms and signs on their child daily, and if a child displays any signs or symptoms, the child should not be sent to school. A doctor’s certificate may be required before a return to school.

With the Health Authorities’ guidelines now published, the Ministry is continuing with other discussions with the relevant stakeholders on other aspects, mainly educational and curricular.

Around the world, students are returning to school as countries experiment with new educational models and social distancing protocols to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

It is important that schools reopen for in-person instruction. Opening schools is a step toward normalcy, in a changed world where the virus has left us all pondering about the unprecedented effects and situations this COVID-19 has had on our ‘normal’ lives. But return to ‘normal’ we must.

The decision taken to reopen primary and secondary schools is fully compliant with scientific advice provided by our health authorities.

While precautions to minimize the risk of transmission shall be implemented across all educational institutions, the reintroduction of in-person learning is deemed to be of utmost importance for the social & economic development of our children, our students.

The important work done by all merits a huge thank you. I thank all those who contributed and are still contributing in diverse ways, and not only in these unprecedented times we are going through, so that our educators’ and students’ educational journey goes on for the benefit of our students.