Nurturing Minds/SEGA School-Driven Response to Covid-19 in Tanzania (Part 5, Covid-19 Response Series)

Schools Reopen Amidst Covid-19 Pandemic – Our Response
After schools were closed in light of the pandemic, SEGA was thrilled to reopen in late June, in accordance with the Tanzanian government authorization. New measures to prevent COVID-19 spread on campus have been carefully planned and executed. All public and private school systems in Tanzania were closed for a total of 3.5 months. SEGA, together with its founding organization Nurturing Minds, throughout this period, pursued a holistic approach to ensure students, graduates, staff, the girls in the Modern Girl community outreach program, and their families were informed of the COVID-19 pandemic, maintained connection with SEGA for support, students had education continuity, and all received masks and soap to help maintain good hygiene. The following are our actions taken upon the school reopening:

• Every student received a set of 4 masks and toiletries upon entry onto campus; 
• Temperature of all students and staff was checked upon entry to school and daily, for the first 4 weeks;
• 23 hand washing stations with liquid soap were installed around campus;
• A quarantine room has been prepared for students that show COVID-19 symptoms. In which case students will be observed by school nurse. If symptoms continue, school will communicate with Municipal physician for next steps;
• And Tanzanian Government has mandated the addition of two class hours per day to compensate for the time lost when school was closed.

• Students and staff maintain social distancing (2 meters) to the best of their ability at all times, apart from mealtime;
• School is enforcing a policy of “staying at home if unwell” for staff and “reporting to nurse if unwell” for students;
• Masks are worn by all staff, students and visitors at all times. Excluding eating, showering and sleeping.
• Hand washing is required before entry to class, upon leaving classrooms, before eating and after restroom.
• Density in dorms was reduced by relocating a bunk bed from each dorm, and repopulating these into a new dorm.  Thus, reducing density in each dorm. Curtains were removed from large windows to enhance ventilation. Bunk Bed buddies orient themselves in a “head to toe” positioning.
• Dining modifications included adding 2 open tents for students to dine at 3 separate locations, thus reducing density during this time (6 students/table instead of 12).
• Diet will be supplemented with oranges, baobab juice and ginger. Cooks will wear masks and gloves when handling food, serving food in the dining area.
• Teachers are wearing overcoats and masks, using projectors, observing social distance and once available will be equipped with 3D printed face shields.
• Visitors will be asked to remain outside.

For more information about our Covid response, please read our impact statement here:

https://www.nurturingmindsinafrica.org