Education Ministry mulls several options of reopening of schools in Kyrgyzstan

AKIPRESS.COM - The Ministry of Education and Science of Kyrgyzstan proposes different options of reopening of schools, Education Ministry's representative Ainura Kuseinova said.
Each school will make its individual decision, she said. "The schools will reopen in case of stable COVID-19 situation. Schools need to create conditions for compliance with COVID-19 protocols," Ainura Kaseinova said.
Reopening of schools also depend upon number of students attending every particular school, she added.
Thus, schools with less than 300 students may resume traditional classes for students of all grades in case epidemiological authorities allow restart of traditional classes.
Schools with less than 600 students will resume traditional classes in stages: students of grades 1, 5, 9, 11 will return to school in the first stage and the rest students will return to school at the second stage.
Schools with more than 600 students will be reopened upon approval of epidemiological authorities and local authorities. They will have flexible schedule. Students of grades 1, 5, 9, 11 will return to school first or in the worse scenario - students of grades 1 and 11 only.
"First graders need to study at school. Students of 11 grades will have final examinations, national admission test, etc. They may return to school and study for 2 weeks. In case the situation does not gets worse within these two weeks, other grades may restart traditional classes at school," Ainura Kaseinova stated.
Schools prepare now for reopening since the second term (November 11). School buildings are disinfected.
"The funding saved on school meals program will be redirected for purchase of necessary supplies for schools. Local government bodies provide assistance, UNICEF also provides support to schools," she added.
Schools in remote regions with stable COVID-19 situation may reopen for students of all grades. The problems with reopening of schools arise in Bishkek and Osh, where schools are overcrowded.
"In case reopening of schools is permitted, students of grades 1, 5, 9, and 11 will return to school for a 2-week period at first. Then other grades may return to school upon monitoring and analysis of the situation," Ainura Kuseinova said.