The Elements to be considered during face-to-face education

Cyprus International University (CIU) Faculty of Medicine Vice Dean, Assist. Prof. Dr. Ayşe Seyer, stating that after a long hiatus, it has been decided to begin face-to-face education, went on to say, “As well as the decisions taken by the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Education, it is very important that the parents and the school administrations assist during this process and provide support”.

In order for the process to be completed in the healthiest manner and in an effort for education to not be disrupted again, Seyer pointed out that all education institutions should act without compromise with relation to the pandemic measures and continued “In an effort to ensure that the classrooms are not overcrowded, the class size should be decided upon based on the number of people per meter square”.

Underlining that the wearing of masks should not be compromised within classrooms and all closed areas, Seyer noted that in an effort of ensuring hand hygiene, antiseptic should be placed inside all buildings.

Explaining that precautions should be taken within the classrooms of kindergartens and small children, Seyer advised, “It is necessary for play mats to not be stepped on while wearing shoes, for objects such as toys, tools, and other materials that are commonly used to not be used, or if used, to be disinfected after every use”.

Advising that in an effort to prevent a buildup of waiting for parents at the school doors, it should be planned for the students of different years having different arrival and departure times from school, Seyer added that to also prevent the contagion from spreading, it should be arranged for each classroom to have different eating and playtimes.

Noting that care should be given in the classrooms being frequently aired, Seyer went on to say, “For all of the precautions to be applied, all state and private education institutions need to provide the necessary budget and staff to do so”.

Also stating that parents have an important role in all of the precautions being applied, Seyer elaborated, “It is vital we are all vaccinated for the sake of the community health. It is known that the easiest and cheapest way in preventing contagious diseases is via vaccines”.

Advising that in the event your child is displaying symptoms that can be connected to COVID-19, such as a high temperature, cough, sore throat, headache, aching muscles, diarrhea, loss of smell/taste, or when any form of respiratory tract infection symptoms are noticed, the child should not be sent to school, Seyer stated, “It shouldn’t be forgotten that with the new variants, there has been an increase in cases in the child patient groups”.

Informing that in the past some families were forced to send their children to school although they have respiratory tracts infection symptoms such as a slightly high temperature, runny nose, and sore throat, Seyer continued, “However, when we consider the conditions of the pandemic, we must refrain from this type of behavior. Many parents are forced to do this due to not being able to get the permission of leave from work, however with a more supportive approach during this process, employers can be helpful in our overcoming this situation”.

Stating that education is every individual's right, Seyer concluded, “In order to not take the right of education from children, youths, and every individual, we must conform to the rule of, vaccine-mask-distancing-hygiene”.