This is what primary school looks like in lockdown

DURBAN NORTH Primary Schools have been hard at work setting up to comply with Covid-19 regulations to welcome back Grade 7 learners this week.

Standard regulations across schools include hand sanitiser stations, social distancing demarcations along corridors and rearranging classrooms to keep learners apart.

Extra mural activities have also been suspended and schools have held orientation meetings to explain the new rules.

Grant Maartens, Chelsea Preparatory School principal said posters placed around the school will remind learners about social distancing and washing their hands.

“Some classes have moved into larger rooms. We’ve created another Grade 7 class to limit the number of children in a class,” he said.

During orientation, Chelsea invited Crisis Medical to brief staff on the best way to prevent infection and the precautions to take when dealing with a sick learner, added Martens.

Also read: Teaching moves online for junior primary school in La Lucia

At Northlands Primary School all staff members have been provided with two masks and a face shield.

“Our contracted cleaning company undertook a thorough deep cleaning and sanitation process before staff returned to school. Learners will complete an online questionnaire before arriving at school checking up on their current state of well being. All entry and exit points will be strictly controlled,” said deputy principal, Clive Beetge.

Atholton Primary School has opted to place Grade 7 learners in the school hall to comply with social distancing regulations.

“Once the other grades return we will set up the classrooms so that all children will be sitting apart from each other. It will be a very different environment that the children will be returning to but we are determined to make it a welcoming and safe space for them to carry on learning,” said the school.

Teachers at Glenashley Preparatory School will sanitise learners’ hands as they enter or exit the classroom and social distancing will be carefully enforced.

“A social distancing queuing system has been created on either side of the main access gate, to facilitate the screening process for the children on arrival at school. A socially distant grid pattern has been marked on the school field, were children will wait before school, and at break,” said public relations officer, Tracy Trotter.

Incase you missed it: More than 300 000 KZN learners to head back to school

At Crawford Schools, orientation took place with all staff, service providers, parents and learners.

“Staggered start and ends to the day; staggered break times and extended days and platooning as required to keep the load on infrastructure well within the requirements. Limited outside play, that is closely supervised to ensure social distancing and hygiene, are maintained,” said the school.

Caxton Local Media Covid-19 reporting

Dear reader,
As your local news provider, we have the duty of keeping you factually informed on Covid-19 developments. As you may have noticed, mis- and disinformation (also known as “fake news”) is circulating online. Caxton Local Media is determined to filter through the masses of information doing the rounds and to separate truth from untruth in order to keep you adequately informed. Local newsrooms follow a strict pre-publication fact-checking protocol. A national task team has been established to assist in bringing you credible news reports on Covid-19.
Readers with any comments or queries may contact National Group Editor Irma Green (irma@caxton.co.za) or Legal Adviser Helene Eloff (helene@caxton.co.za).

You can also sign up for news alerts on Telegram. Send us a Telegram message (not an SMS) with your name and surname (ONLY) to 060 532 5532.  

Here’s where you can download Telegram on Android or Apple.