It is the third day into the second term of the school year and the report from 80 per cent of the Regional Education Departments is that all schools are operational and attendance by both teachers and students is favourable.

Regions Two (Pomeroon/Supenaam), Three (West Demerara/ Essequibo Islands), Four (Demerara/Mahaica), Five (Mahaica/ Berbice), Six (East Berbice/ Corentyne), Seven (Cuyuni/ Mazaruni), Nine (Upper Takutu/ Upper Essequibo) and 10 (Upper Demerara/ Berbice) all reported the same.

However, contact with Regions One (Barima/ Waini) and Eight (Potaro/ Siparuni) was not made to ascertain the status with schools in those areas.

Regional Education District Officer (REDO) for Region Two, Ms. Sandra Smith, told the Guyana Chronicle that officers are in the field and would be unable to comment on attendance.

The REDO from Region Three, Ms. Marlyn Jones O’Donoghue, said the same as she too affirmed that all schools in the region were open.

Mr. Baydewan Rambarran, REDO from Region Four, stated that attendance of both students and teachers was good.

“The teachers who were not present at school are accounted for. Some are on maternity leave and such,” he said.

Ms. Urline Crandon, REDO from Region Five, stated that in her district the attendance of teachers was excellent but only approximately 85 per cent of the students turned up.

The REDO from Region Six, Ms. Shafiran Bajan, said the attendance for students at the Nursery, Primary and Secondary schools was 65 per cent, 90 per cent and 85 per cent, respectively.

For the teachers, the attendance was 97 per cent, 90 per cent and 85 per cent, respectively, at the Nursery, Primary and Secondary levels.

Mrs. Mayfield Benjamin, REDO from Region Seven, said by the end of the week her department would be in a better position to deliver on the statistics in her district.