Online applications most advisable for new learners
School management to ensure that health protocols are observed
20 July 2021 | Education
The WhatsApp groups have been effective thus far and we communicate on the group about the number of parents allowed on school grounds at a time. This ensures that a limited number of people are on school premises to help curb the spread of the virus. – Monique Reith, OSS teacher
Enzo Amuele
It’s that time of the year when current grade 0 and seven learners are applying for the next level of their education.
With the pandemic, it may be a health hazard as this may cause parents and learners to line up and exceed the maximum number of people per gathering, which is limited to 10 people.
According to chief public relations officer of the ministry of education, Sem Shino, school management should ensure that all health protocols are adhered to.
“Since the outbreak of the pandemic, the ministry has put health protocols in place that should be observed by the school management. This means that management should ensure social distancing, sanitising and all other health protocols are observed,” he said.
Shino added that while not all learners have access to the internet in cases of online application, it is the most advisable method, but due to circumstances, it may not available to everyone.
Plan B
The Khomas education directorate has proposed and encouraged schools to avail an option of an electronic submission via email for parents and learners who prefer to do so.
Delta Secondary School (DSSW) has a website that has been in existence pre-Covid, which includes an application form that can be accessed by members of the public without having to physically go to the school.
According to the application, documents such as birth certificates and previous reports should be dropped off at school once the applicant gets notified via email.
Okahandja Secondary School (OSS) has challenged the online system by placing leaflets around town and posters at the school to inform the public of the application process. Monique Reith, who is a teacher at the school, said a parent-teacher WhatsApp group has been effective.
“We communicate on the group about how many parents are allowed on the school grounds and gates are kept closed at all times. This ensures that a limited number of people are on school premises to help curb the spread of virus,” she said.
It’s that time of the year when current grade 0 and seven learners are applying for the next level of their education.
With the pandemic, it may be a health hazard as this may cause parents and learners to line up and exceed the maximum number of people per gathering, which is limited to 10 people.
According to chief public relations officer of the ministry of education, Sem Shino, school management should ensure that all health protocols are adhered to.
“Since the outbreak of the pandemic, the ministry has put health protocols in place that should be observed by the school management. This means that management should ensure social distancing, sanitising and all other health protocols are observed,” he said.
Shino added that while not all learners have access to the internet in cases of online application, it is the most advisable method, but due to circumstances, it may not available to everyone.
Plan B
The Khomas education directorate has proposed and encouraged schools to avail an option of an electronic submission via email for parents and learners who prefer to do so.
Delta Secondary School (DSSW) has a website that has been in existence pre-Covid, which includes an application form that can be accessed by members of the public without having to physically go to the school.
According to the application, documents such as birth certificates and previous reports should be dropped off at school once the applicant gets notified via email.
Okahandja Secondary School (OSS) has challenged the online system by placing leaflets around town and posters at the school to inform the public of the application process. Monique Reith, who is a teacher at the school, said a parent-teacher WhatsApp group has been effective.
“We communicate on the group about how many parents are allowed on the school grounds and gates are kept closed at all times. This ensures that a limited number of people are on school premises to help curb the spread of virus,” she said.
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