Benin Reopens Schools, Screens Teachers for COVID-19

Benin Reopens Schools, Screens Teachers for COVID-19

The Government of Benin Republic has ordered testing of teachers for coronavirus.

The mass coronavirus testing of teachers followed preparation for the reopening of schools as part of a plan to relax the lockdown order in the country.

This was disclosed in a statement on Saturday, 9th May, 2020.

The government reiterated commitment to ending the six-weeks travel restrictions to key cities. And allowing some students back to classrooms from Monday, 11th May, 2020.

“The test came back negative,” a teacher told reporters with relief, after emerging from the clinic.

“I feel safe and confident now,” he added.

Benin is among a growing number of African nations relaxing measures that have battered their fragile economies and impacted the lives of a large number of the poor.

The authorities said that almost 14,000 tests were carried out between May 3 and 7, with the focus now on teachers and health workers. So far, just two fatalities from the virus have been confirmed.

Final year students from primary school to universities will return to lessons on Monday, after six weeks at home.

Masks will be distributed to pupils. Nursery schools will remain closed for the rest of the academic year.

Headmaster, Ghislain Togan Cakpo, who also tested negative, said he was planning some changes to ensure social distancing at his school.

“We’ll turn the assembly room into a classroom,” he said.

“Lecture halls at universities will remain shut to avoid large gatherings. Some courses will be delivered online,” officials said.

Anselme Amoussou, general secretary of one of the country’s largest labour organisations, said testing remained “insufficient”.

“The government is aware that it will not be able to screen everyone before school starts,” he said.