Schools reopen today for grades 10, 11, sixth forms, PIC and TVET institutions

…Education Minister visits several schools

Today schools across the country reopened for students in grades 10, 11, Sixth forms and those attending Practical Instruction Centres (PIC) and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions. This decision was taken at the level of cabinet and was given the ‘green light’ by the Ministry of Health. Additionally, the Ministry of Education (MoE) recognizing that schools were closed since March owing to the Coronavirus pandemic and that many students had not been engaged, thought it was critical for students to return to the classrooms.

Today, the Honourable Minister of Education Priya Manickchand visited schools in Georgetown and on the West Coast of Demerara including the St Roses High School, Queen's College, West Demerara Secondary School and Brickdam Secondary school.

During the visits to the institutions, the Education Minister interfaced with students and teachers who in a majority said that they are ‘very happy’ that schools have reopened. At West Demerara Secondary the students told Minister Manickchand that the face-to-face contact is preferred since it ensures that they are not distracted. They said that although they were being taught online, many times they are distracted and are unable to concentrate on their work.

The teachers expressed similar sentiments as their students, saying that the virtual platform has its challenges, from poor connectivity to no connectivity among others. In most cases, the teachers said that while a favourable percentage of students have been engaged online they are still not able to engage some of the other students. They said that this is posing a serious challenge for the completion of School-based Assessments (SBA) and Internal Assessments (IA) which are critical components for students writing CSEC and CAPE in 2021.

In remarks to teachers and students, the Education Minister said that her Ministry will supports schools in their efforts to complete their syllabi. She said that she is aware the MoE is firm as it relates to certain processes in the education sector. However, she made it clear that schools have the freedom to use the approach that best suits their particular situation. She cautioned that failure by school administrations to present a plan and timetable as it relates to the completion of syllabi so that students can successfully sit their CSEC and CAPE examinations, the MoE will have to step in.

She said that this approach is not one that the Ministry is keen on embracing since she wants to give schools the freedom to get their work done. Many of the schools are using a blended approach to engage learners with both virtual and face-to-face contact being utilized.

During the visits today all students were seen wearing their masks, the seating arrangements were set at least six feet apart and students were seen washing their hands at the entrance of the school. At West Demerara secondary there was a sanitization tunnel that students were mandated to walk through to be completely sanitized.

The Ministry of Education has provided care packages for students, teachers, cleaners and dormitory staff. These packages include hand sanitizers, masks, face shields and a number of vitamins and tonics to keep immunity at a premium. Schools were closed on March 16 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.