School education for 750 under-privileged children

Hope you are doing good. As you know that the government has developed guidance and prevention strategies for schools. Evidence suggests that many schools that have strictly implemented prevention strategies have been able to safely open for in-person instruction and continued the educational process. The administration of Al-Mustafa Academy has developed and implemented the following strategies to protect the students, teachers and staff during the periods of in-person schooling. 

We followed public health efforts and strategies and delivered layers of COVID-19 protection in schools.

Operational strategies of the educational process.

Initially, Testing of all staff and students was done to identify individuals with infection to limit transmission and outbreaks.

Temperature Screening of staff and students was done with a device to detect the elevated body temperature associated with fevers caused by the coronavirus, thrice daily.

Correct use of masks- A policy to wear a mask was applied for all students, teachers and staff and ensured the use of masks throughout the school timings.

Physical distancing-Core principle for physical distancing has been established, furthermore, we have also implemented structural interventions to promote physical distance between students and teachers in classrooms.

Maintainance of 6 feet of distance in the following settings:

• Between adults (teachers and staff), and between adults and students, at all times withiin the school building.
• When masks cannot be worn, such as during intervals while eating.
• During activities when increased exhalation occurs, such as sports and exercise. Such activities are only allowed outdoors or in large, well-ventilated spaces.

Limited and stopped nonessential visitors, volunteers, activities and/or the involvement of external groups or organizations as much as possible.

Staggered scheduling: Staggered school arrival and drop-off times and put in place other protocols to limit contact, as well as direct contact with parents.

Alternate schedules fixed for students 3 days a week in alternate days and decrease class size and staff to promote physical distancing.

Modified layouts: Adjusted physical layouts in classrooms and other settings to maximize physical space, and re-organized desks to face in the same direction.

Cleaning:  Regular cleaning of frequently touched surfaces within the school multiple times a day (for example, playground equipment, door handles, sink handles, toilets, desks etc.).

Foodservice: All the food services such as in-house Canteen and drink stations were closed. Students, teachers and other staff were encouraged to bring food/water from home.

Shared objects: Discouraged and stopped sharing of items, particularly those that are difficult to clean. 

 As with everyone, children have been the most affected by this muted lifestyle and boredom was seen to be affecting their interest in studies as well. So, in order to keep them motivated and lift their spirits up, the school management organized some activities within the domain of Covid -19 SOPs. Following is the list of these activities:

1. Thematic Art competition between students.

2. World Children Day Celebration by students.

3. Allama Iqbal Day (National Poet of Pakistan)celebration.

4. Handicraft (embroidery and clay art) Activities.

5. World poetry day celebrated by students with the aim of supporting linguistic diversity through poetic expression.

This was all about the schooling during a pandemic, we sincerely hope that till the next report, everything will be resumed back to normal.