Minister of Education, Priya Manikchand is currently visiting several schools to ensure they are following the COVID-19 measures.
The Minister used the opportunity to remind both students and teachers about the importance of staying safe while at school.
Schools reopened today (November 9) for face-to-face engagements with teachers and students. This, however, is only for students of Grades 10, 11 and 12 as preparations begin for the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examination and Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE) in 2021.
Technical Vocational and Education Training (TVET) institutions will also be reopened for physical classes.
Manickchand had said that the decision was made following consultations with the Health Ministry, the Caribbean Examination Council, medical professionals, educators and parents over the past weeks.
The discussions, she said, pointed towards concerns about learning loss, school dropouts among other issues.
Protocols are in place to ensure that schools are safe. This includes regular sanitisation, temperature checks, vitamin support and other measures. Masks, face shields and care packages have been procured for both teachers and students. Appropriate distancing will also follow in the classroom setting and at schools, the environment has been cleaned with the installation of sinks.
Respective schools will have the freedom to set their own timetables to ensure effective teaching, as long as there is compliance with the National COVID-19 Order.
(DPI photos)
