The Parent Teacher Association (PTA) of Lhaviyani Atoll Education Centre, has decided to provide each student with reusable cloth masks.
According to local media Mihaaru, the PTA is fabricating a total of 519 masks for students from the foundation stage to Grade 12. A further 600 masks will be made for employees at the education centre.
A member of the PTA revealed that each student will also receive a bag, with their names embroidered, to safely store their turquoise masks.
Moreover, the individual noted that contributors were working from morning till evening to complete the initiative, adding that materials for the masks were sourced through PTA efforts.
The masks are unique to each individual as parents were instructed to send measurements for every child enrolled at the school.
"While every student is mandated to bring a mask to school, it would prove difficult for individuals with multiple children. This is why we are making the masks", said the representative.
"It has been three days since we started. There is a lot of support from parents and the school management".
The closure of schools, universities and training facilities was one of the first measures implemented by the government after declaring a state of public health emergency on March 12 in response to a COVID-19 outbreak. A total lockdown across the Greater Male' Region was declared a month later on April 15.
After the authorities commenced the phased easing of lockdown restrictions on May 28, with the second phase beginning on June 15, the education ministry announced plans to reopen schools on July 1.
Making the announcement on June 16, Education Minister Dr Aishath Ali assured that precautionary measures will be in place to ensure the safety of students, teachers and other staff, and detailed the steps that will be implemented in the 'new normal' for schools.
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