COVID-19 and our education sector

OUR children and young people have been going through incredible emotional and psychological stress since the emergence of COVID-19 on our shores several months ago. Like many other nations, our government took the prudent steps to safeguard our children and young people, by permitting the closure of nurseries, schools and other educational institutions.

Since the closure of schools, our students have been keeping up with their studies through a number of modes, including the television, radio and Online learning platforms. The new arrangements have not been without issue, because of students’ varying socio-economic backgrounds, and their ability to access the Internet, which is necessary for Online learning.

Prior to COVID-19, the school environment was more of a level playing field, where every student was able to receive the same information and level of support in order to achieve their goals. Since COVID-19, there has been a disruption of the playing field, and it is feared that the less fortunate students may be at a disadvantage when compared to their more well-off colleagues.

Despite the uncertainty as to whether students are indeed doing as they have been advised in order to ensure their continuous learning, we are now confronted with the matter of examinations. Since the emergency measures came into force, the Ministry of Education took the extraordinary step to postpone the National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA). Of course, within the circumstances of a global health pandemic, this was indeed the only prudent choice that the MOE was able to make.

Similarly, older students who were slated to sit the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) and Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examinations (CAPE) in May/June have now been advised that they will do so in July. The Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) has been resolute in their decision to hold these examinations at that time, despite many of the restrictions in place to guard against the spread of COVID-19.

Students and teachers have voiced their concerns in a number of nations throughout the Caribbean, as the COVID-19 situation is still developing, and it is widely felt within academic circles that the decision is premature, given the current circumstances. The Caribbean Union of Teachers has said it is ‘deeply concerned’ about the decision to hold the exams in July, a sentiment which has been echoed in Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, and locally, here in Guyana.

COVID-19 has exposed the infrastructural inadequacies of our education sector, not just in Guyana, but the wider Caribbean and world. Many nations have taken the decision to cancel examinations because of the disruption that students have had to endure. And, without a clear plan by the MOE here and elsewhere in the Caribbean as to how it will facilitate the examinations, in line with the COVID-19 guidelines, it is difficult to understand why CXC has taken this decision.

The introduction of the E-paper, the decision that the inaugural paper will not be administrated, and the proposition that the grades will be determined by the candidates’ school-based assessments (SBAs) and their performances on aper ones have caused anxiety amongst students. Students have raised a number of legitimate concerns which should be better addressed by CXC.

As it stands, cases of COVID-19 are continuing to escalate in Guyana and several other Caribbean nations, so it is difficult for students and teachers to understand why CXC has reached the current conclusion. The shock alone of having to live in a world facing a global health pandemic has been difficult for us all, especially our children and young people. Is it now necessary for them to sit examinations under these circumstances?

The Jamaican Minister with Responsibility for Education, Karl Samuda has said that Jamaica cannot endorse the actions of its CARICOM partners, and that the Jamaican Cabinet would need to deliberate on the matter in order to arrive at its decision, because of the impact that COVID-19 has had on its education sector. It is hoped that the MOE here in Guyana takes into consideration the concerns raised by students and teachers, not only in regard to examinations concerns, but especially as it relates to the health and safety of our children and young people.

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