Let schools be the last sector to reopen

WHEN should schools reopen? Since the Covid-19 pandemic began in March 2020 and persists till today, this has been the lingering concern of many stakeholders – the Education Ministry, school administrators, teachers, pupils and parents alike.

First, we need to acknowledge that primary and secondary schools have to be dealt with separately and differently. Primary pupils are younger and less mature. Secondary pupils can better understand and more readily observe and comply with SOPs. On this count, secondary schools should reopen before primary schools follow suit.