Headmasters of Senior High Schools (SHSs) in the Upper West Region have been charged to strictly maintain discipline in their various schools to stop the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.

This is necessary to ensure that no school becomes a center for spreading the coronavirus disease as final year students return to school this June.
Dr Hafiz Bin Salih, the Upper West Regional Minister charged the Headmasters at a stakeholders’ consultation meeting on the reopening of schools amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

“For Students to be able to adhere to the recommended COVID-19 protocols while on campus, discipline is now needed more than ever”, he said while assuring the Headmasters that there would be no political interference in that regard.

“We must ensure that regular handwashing with soap under running water is practiced by all students and teachers in our schools; ensure that physical distance is observed in the classrooms, dormitories, dining halls, and libraries; and wearing of nose masks at all public places among others”, Dr. Bin Salih said.

Responding to a concern from the Headmasters regarding students coming from other regions, the Regional Minister assured that arrangements would be made for them to be screened before admitting them to their various campuses.

The Headmasters were also concerned about students’ prompt access to health care in times of sickness, but Dr Bin Salih allayed their fears as he promised that a team of health staff would be put on standby to quickly respond and provide health care services to sick students in their various schools.

Mr Godfrey Dongyere, the acting Upper West Regional Director of Education spelt out some of the rules to remind Headmasters of their responsibilities while they guide their students to follow the safety protocols.

Some of these rules include no morning Assemblies, dining hall to be responded to in badges, and no religious activities as well as the screening of day students every morning before they enter the campus.

Mr Dongyere assured that Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) materials including nose masks would be adequately supplied to all schools for both the use of students and teachers.

He said the Regional Education Directorate would ensure regular monitoring and supervision to ensure all the protocols were being observed in the various schools.

Mr Issahaku Tahiru Moomin, the Wa Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) and Dean of the Municipal and District Chief Executives in the region promised on behalf of his colleagues that they would offer the necessary assistance to schools under their jurisdictions anytime the need arises to ensure they implement all the directives successfully.