MANAMA: With increasing H1N1 cases detected among school students leading to the closure of seven private schools, the Minister of Education, Dr. Majeed Al Nuaimi announced yesterday further delay in the reopening of schools.
The minister said the decision was taken following a meeting of education authorities in the GCC countries. According to the new dates released Saturday, middle and secondary schools will open on Oct. 4, Intermediate on Oct. 11 and primary schools on Oct. 18. Kindergarten and special needs institutions will now open in November instead of Oct. 4.
Al Nuaimi did not announce any extension for private schools, but said that the H1N1 protocol set for the University of Bahrain will remain the same. According to this, if any student is infected with swine flu, the University/School will be closed for one week. Furthermore, the same rule will be applied if 10 percent of the school or university strength shows symptoms of the flu.
Authorities have also announced that school buses and classrooms of educational institutions shut down by the authorities after their students tested positive for H1N1 virus will be sterilized. The first sterilization process of school buses will be in the morning when students are dropped to schools and second before taking them back to their homes.
