After seven months of being in quarantine in Quito (Ecuador), the authorities consider returning to face to face classes, starting with some pilot plans.
Until today, many people are dying and getting infected. Nobody could imagine that this virus can last such a long time and make all of s stay at home in quarantine. Different technological devices were implemented in our daily activities and most importantly, people truly understood the importance of the beloved ones in our life.
Due to COVID-19, schools and universities started to have virtual classes. Therefore, electronic devices and educational platforms were incorporated not only to send assignments but also to continue with the planned curriculum. This modality is kept until today, but now three schools and some universities have developed the pilot plans to return to classes after 7 months.
The Emergency Operations Committee (COE) approved the pilot plans for the return at face to face classes in some schools and universities. This must be progressive and parents must decide if they agree or not because this is voluntary. The schools that started this plan are: “Colegio Pachamama” and “SEK International” from Quito and the one located in the valley. About the universities, the return date is still being analyzed. Similar to schools, it must be progressive. Also, they are preparing protocols and one of the universities interested in this process is UDLA.
The schools started the pilot plans on October 1st and 20 to 25 students returned to school, hoping that more students can be included soon. In each class, there are 7 students, maintaining small groups, from pre-school and primary. Authorities and students take biosecurity measures, such as the use of masks, temperature measurement, use of antibacterial gel, and looking for the correct space in the infrastructure to attend classes.
The authorities, especially the Emergency Operations Committee (COE) rated the infrastructure for the return since the schools and universities presented an application to have the permission to start face to face classes. Also, they consider this because of the progressive return for the schools to see how feasible are the face to face classes, considering the biosecurity measures and the number of infections by COVID-19. Some of the requirements are constant medical monitoring, continuous hygiene in the different workplaces, and also an evaluation every 15 days so they can send follow-up information to the COE. These schools take into account some experts´ comments about how important social reintegration is for little children.
Based on the pilot plans for face-to-face classes and voluntary return to schools with their corresponding guidelines, both teachers and students must maintain adequate hygiene. Children were received with a positive attitude and respecting biosecurity measures. The class time extension was adequate to ensure health care. Each school had to adapt their structure to ensure the health of the students, so they started with small groups and with children because the coronavirus is less aggressive at this age but they must be careful anyway.
Regarding all these evaluations and reports, the progressive return is expected to take place as long as it ensures the health care of the students. Some schools are thinking to start with the pilot plans, such as “Colegio Alemán” in Quito and some schools in other provinces. But it is important to take into account that not all schools are the same and by these pilot plans we can see the viability of returning to face-to-face classes.
Written by
Valery Endara
3ro BGU A
SOURCES:
· Redacción Primicias (2020) COE aprueba planes piloto para el regreso a clases presenciales. Primicias: Sociedad. Recuperado de https://www.primicias.ec/noticias/sociedad/coe-clases-presenciales-quito-guayaquil/
· G. Tipanluisa (2020) COE autoriza clases presenciales a una decena de colegios en octubre del 2020. El Comercio: Actualidad. Recuperado de https://www.elcomercio.com/actualidad/coe-autorizacion-clases-presenciales-ecuador.html
· Redacción Primicias (2020) Siete colegios con planes para volver a clases presenciales; uno es fiscal. Primicias: Sociedad. Recuperado de https://www.primicias.ec/noticias/sociedad/siete-colegios-coe-planes-regreso-clases/
· E.U. Redacción (2020) Plan piloto de retorno voluntario a clases presenciales en Quito iniciará la próxima semana. El Universo. Recuperado de https://www.eluniverso.com/noticias/2020/09/24/nota/7988884/plan-piloto-retorno-voluntario-clases-quito-iniciara-proxima-semana
· E.U. Redacción (2020) En Quito, arranca plan piloto de retorno a clases presenciales. El Universo. Recuperado de https://www.eluniverso.com/noticias/2020/09/30/nota/7996519/quito-arranca-plan-piloto-retorno-clases-presenciales
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