Coronavirus: We won’t accept excuses for lack of face masks, others – GNAT to Education Ministry

The General Secretary Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), Thomas Musah, says the association will not take excuses over the lack of PPE’s including nose masks as schools are reopening.

The statement by the General Secretary for GNAT comes after The President of the Republic of Ghana Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo announced the re-open schools and universities to allow for final year junior high, senior high and university students to resume classes ahead of the conduct of their respective exit examinations.

“Indeed, final year university students are to report to their universities on 15th June; final year senior high school (SHS 3) students, together with SHS 2 Gold Track students, on 22nd June; and final year junior high school (JHS 3) students on 29th June. JHS 3 classes will comprise a maximum of thirty (30) students; SHS classes a maximum of twenty-five (25) students; and University lectures will take place with half the class sizes,’ the president said.

The President stated that as part of measures to protect the students and teachers, each student teacher, and non-teaching staff will be provided with re-usable face masks by the Ministry of Education.

Speaking to Ekourba Gyasi on Atinka FM’s AM Drive, Thomas Musah called on the Ministry of Education to make sure that all the PPE’s needed for the successful reopening of schools should be ready and given to the schools.

According to him, since the President has directed that schools are re-opening for final year students on 15th June 2020, the GES needs to ensure that both teachers and students are safe as soon as the directive takes full force.

“We need to return to normal in safety. These are the WHO protocols and there should be nothing like the things have been purchased and that they will be distributed soon. The President says 15th June and we are expecting that by 15th, nose masks, veronica buckets etc get to the school. There should be no excuse! The duty bearers must rise up to the occasion and deliver,” he added.