After more than two months of forced rest due to COVID-19, the students of the exam classes returned to school in Benin. But to prevent schools from being places where the virus is transmitted, it sometimes takes imagination.
In the framework of the Support Project for Secondary Education in Benin (PAESB), Aide et Action reoriented its activities towards raising awareness of hygiene in the school environment. The General Education Colleges (CEG) of the municipalities of Allada, Cotonou and Zé were visited by our project leaders for awareness sessions on barrier gestures against COVID-19.
Solutions for everyone
In the classroom, basic health measures are implemented, willy-nilly. Teachers, administrative staff and all pupils wear masks, as planned, thanks to a provision made by the State as part of the support measures for the resumption of classes.
In order to respect the regulatory distance meter, no more than two students must be seated per table-bench, which required the distribution of students in additional classes. A measure made possible thanks to the limited number of youths in the establishment. In addition, all teachers are currently requisitioned and organized by discipline to provide lessons for all classes.
As for the handwashing device, a solution within everyone’s reach has been implemented. Clean cans, ropes and wooden stakes were used to make basic hand washing stations. The stakes planted in the ground are used to support a transverse wood which holds the cans. A cord starts from the cap of the can to connect a wood that serves as a lever. And There you go ! Just add water and soap.
In addition to raising awareness about COVID-19, our leaders also tackled other problems that the Beninese school is facing, notably school dropouts and gender-based violence.