Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Drawing Competition Held to mark International Day on Disaster Reduction: On the 14th Of October


A drawing competition was held to mark the International Day on Disaster Reduction on the theme “Safer Community - Hospital, School and House of My Dream” . Children aged 8-15 were invited to describe, through drawings and paintings, how safe hospitals, schools and houses can contribute to the realization of a safer and disaster resilient community.
A total of 45 students participated in this competition from a total of seven (7) schools in Male’. The competition was judged by a team organized by the National Art Gallery.
The Award giving ceremony for the Drawing Competition was held at Thaajudheen School on the 14th of October 2009 at 14:30hrs .
Prizes were awarded to participants by the Deputy Minister of Ministry of Education, Dr. Abdulla Nazeer:-
  • First Prize Winner Aishath Sajiyan Abdul-sattar of Iskandar School Received A Laptop computer and a Certificate of Merit
  • 1st Runner Up Winner Aminath Shadha Islam of Jamaaludheen School Received A Mini-laptop Computer and a Certificate of Merit
  • 2nd Runner Up Winner Aika Ahmed of Jamaaludheen School Received An Art Kit and a Certificate of Merit

Standard Operation Procedures on Flu Pandemics; H1N1 Virus (Swine Flu)

Schools can be a disease spreading harbor because they house hundreds to thousands of people in a confined location.

Therefore, school programs can help protect the health of the school community.

a) Schools must:

1. Have and maintain a complete medical history on each student, with particular emphasis on any and all respiratory illnesses (such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, immune deficiencies, and any other chronic disorders), since such diseases can make those students more susceptible to the H1N1 flu virus.

2. Closely monitor children & adolescents with chronic health problems as the virus is much more fatal for them than ordinary or normal people.

3. Implement a system to track and potentially follow up on students who are absent from school to determine if absences are illness-related. This system can provide crucial clue to school & health authorities that there may be a high rates of illness in the community.

4. If students are dismissed from school, schools must cancel all school – related gatherings and encourage parents & students to avoid gatherings outside of school, including at shopping complexes, movie theaters, public library and friends houses in large groups.

5. All individuals with flu like symptoms must seek professional help immediately.

6. If an individual shows symptoms of influenza (fever above 37.8ºC or 100ºF, accompanied by cough or sore throat), they must stay home for 7 days, or 24 hours after symptoms subside, if longer than seven days seek professional help.

7. Always promote good hand – washing and hygiene practices, including cough and sneezing etiquette and ensuring that tissues are disposed of after usage.

8. Regularly clean and disinfect any and all frequently touched surfaces in the school environment (such as door handles, desktop surfaces, etc), making sure to follow the manufacturer’s labels for use on all cleaning materials used. Such cleaning should occur several times a day (before lessons start, before/after any break, etc).

9. Encourage sick students and staff to stay home, and actively encourage high levels of hygiene in and out of school.

10. Have clear signs and posters put up in every class and notice boards on preventions and good hygiene practices to avoid spread of flu.

11. Always maintain adequate stock of personal hygiene products, including soap and warm water.

12. Schools must purchase sanitizing hand gel, which can be used if there is no visible dirt on hands.

13. Schools must consider the necessity of providing students adequate time to wash hands during the day, particularly before meal times.

14. School must hold at least one instructive session on how to actively guide children on safety & hygiene methods by way of practicing themselves. School leaders are trusted figures in a community and should continue to provide accurate, yet not inflammatory, information about the spread of this virus, effects in the school community, and as well as encourage students & staff to stay home if they are sick.

15. Students, parents and staff must be informed that by their very nature, viruses are indiscriminate and equal opportunity. No one has immunity to this particular strain of influenza, so everyone is equally at risk of getting sick. Isolating, blaming, discriminating against or otherwise singling out individuals or sub-groups of a school’s population is not helpful; using common sense to prevent flu and monitoring for any symptoms is. School leaders should be vigilant about preventing bullying and harassments in schools.

16. In all schools, with any population, school health officials should assess risk and take actions appropriately. Schools should continue to maintain clean environments and encourage common sense preventive measures; wash hands, cover mouths when coughing and avoid close contact.

17. Schools must work together with authorities to keep our children healthy and safe.

18. Schools must inform everyone in the school community the situation is constantly changing and must be closely monitored.

19. Schools must monitor closely the health of school populations and communicate with health authorities.

20. To increase the preparedness of the school community for this pandemic, education, preparation and training must be given to school health personnel.



21. School closings must be strongly considered if a confirmed or suspected case of H1N1 flu is found and may be considered in case of an outbreak in the community



Tuesday, October 20, 2009

The National Assessment 2009


All the schools in Maldives have participated in the National Assessment 2009 which was held on 18th October and 20th October.

The National Assessment of student achievement levels is a study of student achievement levels of students in grades 4 and 7 in the schools of the country. The standards of literacy (English, and Dhivehi), numeracy, and Islam will be tested in all the students.

Feedback from the results of national assessment is used to identify areas of strengths and helps the teachers to improve their teaching in the areas of weakness.

Thursday, October 15, 2009

Global Handwashing Day 2009


Today we mark the Global Hand Washing Day which will echo and reinforce its call for improved hygiene practices. We are focusing a week of activities that will mobilize millions of people to wash their hands with soap. Hand washing with soap and water is one of the most affordable and effective interventions to prevent needless deaths of children under the age of five.

Wednesday, October 14, 2009

Change in duration of time in grade 7 Diagnostic test 2009

Subject

Date

Day

Time

Islam / gr 7

18th October 2009

Sunday

9.00-11.00 am

Dhivehi / gr 7

20th October 2009

Tuesday

9.000- 11.30 am

Thursday, October 8, 2009

Do we have good heads in our schools?

The way a school head motivates teachers influence the way teachers motivate students. This in turn influences the way students motivate themselves.Rea (1997).
The quality of the leadership makes or breaks the school.So do we have good heads in our schools??

Wednesday, October 7, 2009

How to motivate teachers

Teachers need to be inspired and keep their morale high in order to provide the best instruction.

Most of the time, it's the teachers who motivate students to do their best in the classroom, but there are times when teachers also need to be motivated.

Tips to motivate teachers

Smile frequently and genuinely.

Ask how they are doing, and listen to the answers you get.

Hold meetings only when absolutely necessary.

Create an atmosphere of trust through small gestures, and never make it seem like you're trying to catch your staff doing something wrong.

Compliment your teachers in writing after a classroom walk-through and in public as often as possible.

ALWAYS have your teacher's back when a parent makes a complaint. Reprimand the teacher privately if needed, but create a united front to outsiders.

Create opportunities for them to attend voluntary training in areas they find interesting.

Acknowledge that they are doing a good job, and suggest on how they can do even better.


Sunday, October 4, 2009

Happy Teachers' Day

What matters most?The school a child attends OR the classroom they are placed in?