Public schools across the country reopened on Monday for face-to-face learning for nursery- and primary-level students and the Ministry of Education indicated that there was a high turnout by both teachers and their charges despite some reports of lockouts in some regions as a result new vaccination requirements.
The Ministry of Education released data culled from 51% of the nursery and primary schools across Guyana, which showed that 70% of nursery pupils attended school, with 95% of their teachers present, while 65% of primary pupils attended, with 92% of their teachers present.
With schools following timetables that allow for each grade to have face to face classes on specific days in order to avoid crowding and to allow for social distancing, the ministry noted that the attendance data does not reflect the entire school population but rather those students who were scheduled to attend classes.
In addition, not all schools have been reopen-ed and Minister of Education Priya Manickchand has indicated that some schools will remain closed because teachers have tested positive for COVID-19.
At the secondary-level, students 12 years and older are currently being vaccinated in order to facilitate their safe return to classes.
Stabroek News yesterday visited several nursery and primary schools in Georgetown and was informed that the turnout at most schools was poor or less than expected. Among the schools visited were St Ambrose Primary School, JE Burnham Nursery, JE Burnham Primary, St Gabriel’s Primary School, St. Agnes Primary, St Angela’s Primary and Stella Maris Primary.
According to the head teachers of St. Agnes Primary and St Angela’s, the turnout was fairly good and they noticed a smooth transition back into the classrooms. While direct figures could not be provided, the teachers noted that the children returned by scores. The head teacher at Stella Maris Primary said that about 20 of some 40 students return-ed for one level. The head teacher at St Gabriel’s Primary also noted that the same amount turned out for Grade One. Most teachers observed that because it was the first day, the turnout was not necessarily the best indicator for what the turnout for the remainder of the week will be.
Asked whether the schools might return to virtual classes if the turnout continues to be low, the head teacher at Stella Maris Primary said that the decision should be made after they observe attendance during the rest of the week and next week. This newspaper was reminded that each grade was given a different time to return. But at most primary schools, Grade Six students will be attending every day, while the other grades will attend for either half-day or whole day sessions.
Other schools that were visited were St. Margaret’s Primary, the Rama Krishna Primary and F.E. Pollard Primary schools, where it was observed that sanitation systems were in place. It was observed at some schools that upon entry there was temperature and sanitation checks at the guards. At some others, the security officers promptly asked that hands be washed at the sinks. Stabroek News also observed the protocols being used to protect against possible spread of COVID-19 in the schools, such as students being placed in seats by themselves, social distancing and the use of sanitizers.
Stabroek News noticed some children were routinely sanitizing their hands and they wore their masks. Temperature checks were not done at all of the schools when this newspaper visited but it was done for the children.
When this newspaper entered the schools, the guards immediately signaled to the direction of the sinks, indicating that before all else, hand washing was required. At the sinks, this newspaper observed that there were bottles of liquid soap.
In addition, the children had routine hand washing sessions. At St. Angela’s Primary school, this newspaper observed as the children were told to line up to wash their hands at the sink before they could enter the classroom for their second session in school.
However, at some of the schools, the water pressure was low. This newspaper was informed that at La Parfaite Harmonie Primary School the taps were not running, tanks were empty and many parents complained that they were not comfortable with having their children return for a second day. One parent also stated that the school was not prepared for a face-to-face return. The parents asked to have the children remain at home and still be marked as present.
Manickchand had indicated that with the reopening, parents are allowed to decide whether to keep their children at home and use the resources provided at the ministry’s website or send them to school.
Lockouts
Meanwhile on the topic of vaccination of teachers, some head teachers in an invited comment said that they were not required to produce a list of names of the teachers who are vaccinated and who aren’t. They also noted that they were not aware of vaccination being a requirement for them to return to school. In August, the Ministry of Education sent out a memorandum which stated that teachers were required to either be vaccinated or show a negative PCR test result to their respective department head on a weekly basis.
Guyana Teachers’ Union (GTU) General Secretary Coretta McDonald yesterday told this newspaper that teachers in some regions had been locked out of the schools by the security and regional task force officials who visited schools to oversee that the vaccination measure was in place.
However, when Manickchand was contacted she said that teachers were told that they would need to be vaccinated or provide the test result. She further noted that it was not done by sending personal letters. “The teachers know they are supposed to be vaccinated… the teachers know what was necessary,” she said.
While Manickchand said that checks were not made when the teachers turned out yesterday, McDonald told this newspaper that the GTU received reports from teachers that the police and task force officials stopped teachers from entering schools on the Essequibo Coast and at Port Kaituma. She listed schools at Anna Regina and St Monica’s Primary as the schools where teachers, including head teachers, were told that they could not enter the schools’ premises without their vaccination cards. McDonald said that the teachers were later allowed to enter the schools.
Previously this newspaper was informed by a teacher at Moruca, in Region One, that not all of the teachers in the area had been vaccinated. This newspaper was told that these teachers did not face any problems while returning to their classrooms yesterday. The teachers at schools in Georgetown also said that they returned to class without the need for all teachers to provide proof of being vaccinated.
