This morning the feature of our cities and towns will change as children who have been home for the past nine months make their way to schools.
The decision to shut down and to also open schools was steeped in science and data.
While some parents are excited about the development, others are expectedly apprehensive about how the COVID-19 protocols will be managed in the best interest of the children and the country as a whole.
With science-based protocols that can obviate the catching of the virus, it only behooves us as a people to adhere strictly to these and all shall be well.
Schools, like the economy of the country, cannot remain shut indefinitely because we cannot be trusted to adhere to the COVID-19 protocols. It is about disciplining ourselves to achieve maximum results which under the circumstances, is the safety of the children and their teachers.
At a certain period, certain actions must be taken such as the reopening of schools, so much having been learnt about COVID-19 since the pandemic hit the world.
In every part of the world, strict adherence to enforceable measures has proven to be the best antidote against the virus.
Schools are reopening at a time when the country is recording an uptick of COVID-19 cases and even fatalities.
While some have attributed the upsurge to the Yuletide festivities, others think we have as a people simply become complacent about the reality of the virus.
The use of nose masks has witnessed a drop among most Ghanaians; the protections only used where these are mandatorily required as in banks and other public places.
Parents and teachers are the frontline staff in matters about children returning to school. Both should understand what the virus is, its mode of transmission and to how steer clear of it.
The commitment of parents and teachers including cooperation between them should not be overlooked.
We have taken note of the various measures taken by government to keep the children safe.
We shall wait and see how these measures are implemented on the ground.
The monitors should not rest on their oars. They should continue to visit schools to ensure that the measures are applied to the letter.
Also important is the assignment of nurses to some schools. Cooperation between the medics and the school teachers will go a long way in achieving the safety of the children.
The reopening of schools is a national assignment in which all Ghanaians must show interest. As a shared responsibility, it behooves all of us to observe and make necessary inputs towards making our children safe.