Tunisia-416 cases of coronavirus infection confirmed in schools

Since September 15, the date of the new school year, 416 confirmed cases of coronavirus infection and 1,260 suspected cases have been identified in schools, said Fethi Sellaouti, Minister of Education on Friday.

During a plenary session in parliament devoted to the assessment of the health, social and educational situation in Tunisia, the minister said that there are 180 students, 168 teachers and 68 education officials.

Sellaouti called on civil society to support the ministry’s efforts to guarantee the necessary means of protection to fight against the spread of the coronavirus in schools (masks and hydro-alcoholic gel).
He further noted that a commission has been set up within the Ministry of Education to look at ways to continue distance learning should the school shut down.
In addition, the minister pointed out that the biggest challenge is to initiate upkeep and maintenance works in about 400 schools with a budget of 32 million dinars in addition to guaranteeing the necessary human resources.
In this context, he indicated that 500 agents will be recruited soon knowing that the needs of the sector are estimated at 3 thousand agents.
“To do this, we will have recourse to site agents and contract workers, in coordination with regional and local authorities to meet these needs,” he said.