The reopening of schools now hinges on whether the institutions are ready to receive pupils and all amenities necessary for health and safety are in place, with grades ten and eleven likely to head back first.
A release from the Ministry of Education (MoE) yesterday, informed that the Minister of Education Priya Manickchand held a virtual meeting with all Regional Executive Officers (REO) and Regional Education Officers (REdO) to discuss plans for the eventual re-opening of schools.
In attendance were Chief Education Officer, Dr Marcel Hutson; Permanent Secretary, Alfred King; and the Assistant Chief Education Officers for Nursery, Primary and Secondary; along with all District Education Officers (DEO) and the Chief Planning Officer Nicola Johnson.
According to the release, the objective of the meeting was to ascertain where the regions are with regards to their preparedness for the eventual re-opening of schools. In the meeting, Manickchand stressed the importance of having every school fully prepared to receive both students and teachers “in the safest of environments” when schools are approved for re-opening by the Ministry of Health.
The release added that since grades ten (10) and eleven (11) students needed “critical time” in the classroom to complete their School-Based Assessments (SBA) in the lead-up to CXC and CAPE 2021, they are earmarked to be the first to return to the classrooms.
Manickchand emphasised that each school must have amenities in place, such as running water and adequate toilets. She acknowledged that these undertakings were costly but noted that noted the National Budget caters for this blended participatory approach in addressing the current situation.
The situation concerning adequate facilities for students at schools with dormitories and the need to observe social distancing was also discussed. The officials agreed that ongoing work had to be “accelerated and efficiently managed to ensure the safety of both students, teachers and other stakeholders.” Discussions were also held on ensuring adequate staffing and textbooks for schools in light of the pandemic which will ensure that restrictions which are implemented, are adhered to.
The MoE is currently undertaking works at schools across the country installing additional sinks at the entrances and within the schools. Additional toilets are being built and COVID-19 guidelines signs are being erected in and around the schools. Weeding and cleaning of school compounds are ongoing, the release added.
