Education, health ministries plan for reopening of schools
 
The Ministry of Education and Sports and Ministry of Health are compiling 10 conditions and measures in relation to Covid-19 control in schools, as part of plans to allow children to return to classes.
Deputy Minister of Education and Sports, Dr Sisouk Vongvichit, told Vientiane Times the two ministries are discussing the conditions and measures after the Prime Minister’s Office gave the go ahead for schools to reopen.
The details will be announced soon and will be conveyed to all state and private schools.

“School administrators must ensure that facilities are safe from infection and that classes can be taught as normal but in line with certain conditions. The ministry will assign local staff to monitor the situation at each school,” Dr Sisouk said.
“In my opinion as a Deputy Minister of Education and Sports, the resumption of classes is good news because children have been out of school for so long.”
“Although many schools have arranged for classes to take place online, some have been unable to do this. Face-to-face teaching is the best option wherever possible, but the health and safety of children must take priority,” Dr Sisouk added.
The Principal of Homsavanh School in Vientiane, Mr Vannakone Phongsisay, said “I’m not sure what this will entail exactly because we’re waiting for more information from the Ministry of Education and Sports and other sectors.”
“However, our school has made preparations such as arranging desks at a safe distance, adjusting teaching and learning schedules, and ensuring that good hygiene measures will be followed. We want to be certain that all children are safe and that parents are confident about the precautions we are taking.”
The Prime Minister’s Office issued a notice on the easing of Covid-19 control measures in several sectors last week. Restrictions will be eased to allow schools at all levels across the country to reopen.
Following government instructions, health authorities are vaccinating children aged 12 and older so that schools can reopen in the near future.
The government has instructed line ministries and other bodies to push for the rollout of vaccinations to ensure Laos reaches the target to vaccinate at least 50 percent of the adult population by the end of this year and at least 80 percent by the end of next year.
The goal is for up to 70 percent of the adult population to be vaccinated by the end of this year. The 50 percent target has already been reached.

By Times Reporters
(Latest Update November 17, 2021)