Covid-19: SCHOOLS REOPENING DIVIDES OPINIONS IN ANGOLA

 An article by Sofonie Dala

Schools and universities in the country will reopen their doors, starting on the 5th of next month, after seven months of closure as a result of the new coronavirus pandemic. However, parents, guardians, students, teachers and members of school boards have different opinions on this regard.

Angola joins other countries in Africa that will reopen daycare centers, general education schools and universities after the closure of these establishments on 23 March to contain the spread of covid-19.

However, classes will be resumed throughout the national territory, in a first phase for students of the 6th, 9th, 12th, and 13th classes of general education and for all university students. In the second phase, starting on the 26th of the same month, with all classes.

The government announced that schools could resume activities, as long as they guaranteed “ social distance, hand washing and there will be no recreational time”, to contain the advance of the covid-19 pandemic.

The decision is being criticized and applauded by some parents, students and teachers across the country.

I think Angola is not yet well prepared to reopen schools, there are no conditions created for that. In my opinion schools should provide children with vital information on handwashing and other measures to protect themselves and their families; facilitate mental health support; and help to prevent stigma and discrimination by encouraging students to be kind to each other and avoid stereotypes when talking about the virus.

We spoke to some citizens to hear their opinions

Mrs. Lurdes Juselma Ramos, who lives in Zango in Viana, Luanda, says that her eldest son, who is 14 years old and studies the 9th grade, will go to school because during lock-downs "he was able to confirm that he knows how to take care of himself".

Maria Mateus, resident in Bengo province, says she is undecided, because she has a 15-year-old son, who studies in the neighboring province of Luanda - the center of the country's greatest epidemiological focus: “so far I am in fear, my firstborn son studies in Cacuaco, Luanda, and takes a taxi. I am afraid he will be infected by the virus, ”she said.