CAIRO: With schools and universities scheduled to start Saturday, health and education officials released last minute statements Thursday, quelling concerns about the H1N1 virus and underlining the precautionary measures taken to combat it. After Minister of Education Youssry El-Gamal visited schools in Giza Thursday, he confirmed that schools are well-equipped and prepared to fight the virus. The minister added that he will personally visit some schools in Alexandria and Shoubra Al-Kheima district in Qaliubiya on Saturday as well as other schools in different governorates throughout the week. El-Gamal urged parents to pay school fees as soon as possible because they are in need for the money to finance the H1N1 emergency measures. El-Gamal also asked schools not to increase their fees, adding that he will take legal measures against any school that does so. El-Gamal also advised school administrators and teachers along with parents not to panic if any student "sneezes or coughs because children are likely to get sick with the regular flu which is not necessarily swine flu. He urged them to conduct medical examinations in such cases. On Wednesday, Cairo Governor Abdel Azim Wazir announced that the academic week will remain five days, with Fridays and Saturdays off. However, schools with a high number of students will work on two shifts, dividing students between them. Those schools, Wazir indicated, are mainly located in Mansheyet Nasser, Al-Salam, Al-Marg, Al-Basateen and Al-Matariya. Schools in Giza will also work in shifts; however students will be divided into two groups, each group working three days a week. According to Mohamed Yassin, the Giza governor's deputy, one group of students would attend classes on Saturdays, Mondays and Wednesdays while the other group on Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays. However, both governorates announced that the total number of students in each class will not exceed 35. Moreover, Minister of Higher Education Hani Helal announced that the number of students in different public universities decreased after the ministry canceled the Saturday vacation. Around 20 million students are enrolled this year in Egypt's schools and universities.
