STUDENTS of Grades 10 and 11, on Monday, braved continuous rainfall in the Pomeroon-Supenaam region and returned to the classroom for face-to-face teaching following an eight month hiatus occasioned by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The students, outfitted with masks, were seen as early as 7:30 am entering their respective school compounds, where Environmental Health Officers were waiting to check their body temperature.

At the Johanna Cecelia Secondary School, the students sat in combination units neatly placed six feet apart. Mathematics was taught in the morning and English in the afternoon.

Abrams Zuil Secondary School students were very enthusiastic and the school recorded maximum attendance. Teachers reported flooding due to heavy rainfall but the water quickly receded and teaching went on as planned. Between 8:00 hours and 16:30 hours, students were taught Mathematics, English A, Office Administration, Human and Social Biology and History.

Over at the Anna Regina Multilateral Secondary School, students were happy to return to the learning environment.

The 8th of May Secondary School at Charity and Pomona Secondary did not record any major challenges.

During interviews with several teachers, they said they were happy to be back at school to continue teaching their students. Many teachers said that revision work and practising with CSEC past papers are the primary focus now.

Teachers told the Guyana Chronicle that even when the students were at home, WhatsApp groups were created to assist them in preparation for the 2021 CSEC exam.

Meanwhile, students related that they too were happy to be back in school. Many of them said that they prefer classroom teaching over the virtual learning experience.

When asked why, many of them related that the internet service in the region is very poor. Some indicated that it was very expensive for their parents to purchase data to access the teaching sessions and material.

“I am happy to be back. I want a bright future and I will take all necessary precaution during this pandemic to ensure that I attain an education. I will be writing CSEC next year and I want to be able to get good grades so I can attain a job. I am happy that school reopened,” an excited Shana Persaud related.

Guyana Chronicle understands that District Education Officers were dispatched to region’s Eight secondary schools to access the teaching and the learning environment.

All secondary schools within the region had active learning and teaching and both teachers and students showed their commitment towards this new arrangement.

All of the COVID-19 guidelines, particularly the wearing of the masks, washing of the hands and social distancing, were observed.