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GTU calls on teachers, students to protect themselves against COVID
General Secretary of the GTU, Coretta McDonald
Kaieteur News – In the wake of unconfirmed reports of new coronavirus (COVID) cases detected among school children, the Guyana Teachers Union (GTU) has called on teachers, parents and students to exercise safety precautions.
General Secretary of the GTU, Coretta McDonald, told this publication that she has received information that at least four schools have been affected by the virus. McDonald revealed that two primary schools in Georgetown, a primary school on the East Bank Demerara and a Secondary School on the Essequibo Coast, have been affected by the virus.
“I have spoken to teachers at these schools, and many of them are afraid to speak out, but there are cases where the students got sick, the staff got infected, even a janitor. At one school, when parents heard what was happening, they started arriving early to pick up their children”
Kaieteur News was informed that at one secondary school in Georgetown, more than half the population turned up with masks. This publication was reliably informed that even though exams are progressing, parents said they are not sure if their children will be attending school because of the rumours.
According to McDonald, the situation in schools is not an isolated one. “I believe the dishonesty from Ministry of Health and Ministry of Education, and by extension the Government, is worrying. While the Ministries continue to stall on addressing the issue, the advisory to schools, the principal education officer …confirmed that they are fumigating the schools,” the GTU General Secretary said.
“The GTU wrote Chief Education Officer on behalf of the teachers, as we should not be gambling with the health of children, teachers or even the auxiliary staff.” In a letter, McDonald stated that “the Union writes out of an abundance of caution after reading an article as is stated in the subject at caption, which was reported by Mr. Travis Chase.”
“Mr. CEO, it’s being reported that three learners from a Grade 5 Class tested positive for the COVID-19 Virus, and the fact that others are falling ill is of grave concern to us, as this situation could be detrimental. As such, in light of the above, we here now suggest the following: -that all teachers and learners be sent home; that the department set aside a day to facilitate random testing, that the building be fumigated/teachers and learners be monitored.
The GTU General Secretary urged, “That the necessary precautionary measures be implemented in schools all across this country.” “They should use masks, practice social distancing, hand washing and sanitising,” she said.
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