Lattakia authorities’ preparation for return to school

Public authorities in Lattakia supported the Education Directorate campaign to ‘safely return to school’. In preparation for the opening of the school year, the Director of Education, Omran Abu Khalil, confirmed that all schools were sterilized and chlorine was distributed to school principals before the start of the school year, with the participation and support of public authorities, civil organizations, parents and NGOs, explaining that sterilization will carry on throughout the academic year.

The Director of Health, Dr. Hawazen Makhlouf, stated that an agreement has been reached with the Education Directorate on the tasks assigned to School Health establishment along with those of the Education Directorate, which will assume the role of supervision. In rural schools, health centers will take the role of supervision and School Health will be concerned with reporting any case to the closest health center to the school, “Whereas, we, as the Health Directorate, will maintain our work with any injury case among students.” He affirmed.

Dr. Makhlouf added: “We are ready to provide any service and assistance to the Education Directorate, since we form one team to address Covid-19 virus. In addition, to the need to spread awareness among administrative and educational staff of schools, as well as students through continuous seminars in schools and cultural centers in cities and rural areas.”  Indicating that the media plays a critical role in broadcasting correct information about the virus.

Local public buses will transport students throughout transportation lines that they serve during this period for free, and they will work on their lines early to secure the arrival of students and teachers at their respective schools.

Moreover, technical services centers and Lattakia City Council were assigned to secure water tanks for schools in need.

The Health Directorate is directly responsible, in cooperation with Administrative centers in the Governorate and Consumer Protection establishments, to monitor school work of sterilization and periodic seminars according to the terms set by the Ministry of Education, including a commitment to wearing masks and preventing packed and expired foods.

Lama Razzouk