The Upsurge of COVID-19 Cases Amidst the Reopening of Schools in Ghana: The Role of Teachers as Frontline Workers
The Upsurge of COVID-19 Cases Amidst the Reopening of Schools in Ghana: The Role of Teachers as Frontline Workers
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Date
2020
Authors
Eric, Twum Ampofo
Robert, Ampomah
Papa Kofi, Amissah-Reynolds
Samuel, Ebo Owusu
Michael, Opoku-Manu
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Journal ISSN
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Publisher
International Journal of Secondary Education
Abstract
The novel coronavirus disease is a global pandemic and gradually teachers are beginning to find themselves on the
frontline of educational delivery as lots of countries, including Ghana, ease up restrictions and reopen schools. The main aim of
this article was to present evidence to validate teachers’ role as frontline workers amid rising cases of COVID-19. Also, we looked
at the measures the government put in place prior to the reopening vis-a-vis their adequacy. Again, we examined reasons for the
emerging increase in cases of COVID-19 infections among teachers and strategies to overcome this problem. So far, available
evidence suggest that about 24% of teachers are being increasingly infected with the novel disease. Major factors accounting for
COVID-19 infections among teachers include inadequate preparation before reopening of schools, a lack of understanding of the
epidemiology of the disease, unavailability of PPEs, and psychological stress. We, therefore recommend that protection of
students, teachers and non-teaching staff should be of topmost priority of the government through the education and training,
provision of appropriate incentives, provision of PPEs and the requisite psychological support.
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Citation
Ampofo, E. T., Ampomah, R., Amissah-Reynolds, P. K., Owusu, S. E., & Opoku-Manu, M. (2020). The Upsurge of COVID-19 Cases Amidst the Reopening of Schools in Ghana: The Role of Teachers as Frontline Workers. Education, 8(3), 93-99.