DP’s Basha Expresses Concern over Preventive Anti-COVID Measures at Schools

“I reiterate my concern about the partial measures taken by the government for the start of the new school year. The protection of the health of students and teachers should be a priority in a situation when the number of those affected by COVID-19 continues to be high,” has said the Chairman of the opposition Democratic Party (DP), Lulzim Basha.

Basha, who is also head of the united opposition, made that comment on Saturday on the eve of the beginning of the school year in Albania on September 14. According to him, the government should urgently start massive testing of teachers before the start of the 2020-2021 academic school year.

“Identification and prevention of cases of COVID-19 among pedagogical staff is extremely important to prevent the chain of the spread of the infection. In addition, the multi-shift teaching process makes it necessary to increase the number of teachers available for the normal development of the lessons,” he said, adding that in addition to health care the government should also take measures to increase the salaries of the teaching staff. “Only the implementation of these measures will ensure the health of teachers and students, as well as the uninterrupted teaching process at schools.”

“It is time to take urgent and concrete measures to protect the lives of students, teachers and all Albanians. The resumption of schools is a vital process for Albanian children and families, and this process needs serious care and commitment of state structures,” said the DP head.

In the meantime it was announced by the Health Ministry on Saturday that 3 victims and 164 infected persons with COVID-19 were confirmed over the last 24 hours. According to the medical bulletin, a 47-year-old teacher from the town of Pogradec, southeastern Albania, without any concomitant illness, was among those who passed away after 12 days in intensive therapy at Shefqet Ndroqi Hospital in Tirana.