Intensive Counseling needed in schools
Chirwah Mahloko of Stepping Stone International (SSI) has advised that both authorities and the general public should be cautious when dealing with Covid-19 issues involving children.
SSI is a non- governmental organisation where children and the youth are empowered to become leaders and achieve their dreams.
Speaking to this publication, Mahloko said the messaging on Covid-19 has to be slightly toned down when addressing minors.
“With adults we can be as brutal as we want but children need a different toning, one that carries words of hope and positivity. For them the current picture is that the virus kills and death brings anxiety to children,” he said. With health authorities confirming positive Covid-19 cases in schools and expressing worry on how the virus is fast spreading in schools, Mahloko said there was need for intensive counseling for children currently in isolation.
He noted that children’s priorities are usually about going back to school and isolation might leave them depressed if they are not closely monitored.
Just this week and when non-completing classes were to return to school, Ledumang Senior School in Gaborone announced that the Covid- 19 task team had taken a decision to test all Ledumang School community members. The school further announced on Tuesday that all students should stay home until further notice. Meanwhile Botswana Secondary School Teachers Union (BOSETU) Secretary General Tobokani Rari has told a local publication that there are more positive cases in close to 10 schools locally.
He said it was shocking that after Ledumang students and teachers were tested on Monday, they were released to their families. He said the outcome was causing serious anxieties among the school community. According to Mahloko, the testing processes appear painful and they can only wonder how affected student communities are handling it all. He also wonders if children will not be subjected to stigmatisation once released.
“This is the point where parents will also have to protect their children and see to it that their children are not exposed to the Corona virus,” he said.
He believes that the virus mostly transmits to children through their guardians and there has to be stern action taken against irresponsible parents for negligence as some deliberately take their children to shopping complexes and other crowded places.
When reached, Botswana Police Spokesperson Superintendent Dipheko Motube said no one has been arrested or charged for negligence and deliberately exposing children to the risk of contracting Covid-19.