Schools will have two weekly sessions for students below grade eight next week.
The Maldives is currently fighting off a significant surge in COVID-19 cases following the detection of the Omicron variant in the Maldives. The archipelago has been recording high daily positive numbers over the past few days, leaving parents to wonder if sending students back to school for the next term next week was safe.
A statement released by the Education Ministry on Friday said the decision to cut back school sessions from five days to two days next week was taken as a preventive measure to minimize the spread of COVID-19, as per the recommendation of the Health Protection Agency (HPA).
The ministry has instructed schools to adhere to HPA guidelines, ensure mask-wearing, and that a 3-feet distance is maintained between students and staff. Extra-curricular activities will not take place until further notice from the ministry.
Additionally, schools are required to monitor the body temperature of students and ensure that they properly sanitize themselves. The school session time will also be shortened to half session.
