As we count down the hours to the resumption of school for some of our students tomorrow, there is no doubt about the massive interest this is attracting.
The resumption of classes comes with its challenges.
It’s encouraging to note how stakeholders are all preparing to return to classes.
Today, we read about how students of a farming community sacrificed the past three weeks to help their dads improve farm roads so they could get to school tomorrow.
The students, as our report reveals, are children of about 70 farmers at Vucivuci subdivision, Ketei, outside Savusavu Town.
They’ve lived with the issues of transportation woes every time bad weather comes.
This is when slippery road conditions and landslips have affected traffic flow.
This, according to farmer, Namusudroka Were who has lived in the area for more than 10 years, has meant children are usually absent from school during bad weather.
The farm road is almost two kilometres from the junction of Ketei road to Vucivuci subdivision.
The break forced upon all Fijians by the COVID-19 pandemic, actually worked in their favour to some extent.
“So during this school break as a result of COVID-19, we have been working on this road and our children have also joined us because they want to attend school,” he said.
Mr Were said they were tired of asking for assistance, so they took the initiative this time around and did something about it.
We also learn that police will work closely with the Health Ministry to ensure the safety of students returning to school tomorrow.
Police Commissioner Brigadier General Sitiveni Qiliho said with the COVID-19 restrictions in place, police would conduct school operations in consultation with the ministry.
The emphasis, he said, would be on the safety of all students before and after school.
Police commanders, he said, had worked on strategies to ensure this.
We are encouraged by the revelation that the Health Ministry says it has provided technical advice to different entities to ensure they follow proper guidelines for COVID-19.
Minister Dr Ifereimi Waqainabete said it was important now for everyone to do the right thing and follow the guidelines in place.
“They (entities) have developed their own frameworks, policies and guidelines for example in schools, the Ministry of Education,” he said.
Students in Year 12 and Year 13, will return to classes tomorrow while the remaining classes start on July 6.
It’s important that we are reminded about the fact that there is still no vaccine for COVID-19.
This means we must remain vigilant and proactive.
We may have contained the virus, meaning we are free of it for now, however, strict adherence to COVID-19 rules will ensure we remain that way.
So let’s remember to always wash our hands with soap and water often, and as much as possible stop shaking hands and hugging people.
Let’s sneeze or cough into an elbow, or into a tissue and dispose this thoughtfully.
Remember social distancing.
Let’s develop these habits and get our children to appreciate the need to be part of the solution.
We obviously have many challenges when school resumes tomorrow.
Leave aside the expected traffic jams on pothole riddled roads in parts of the country.
