THE Ministry of Education (MoE) has rebuffed a claim by the Guyana Teachers’ Union (GTU) that a student who had tested positive for COVID-19 was placed in the same environment with staff and the students writing the CSEC Mathematics examination at a Region Six school.
The ministry said the statement which was made on Tuesday was “panicked, sensational, reckless and potentially dangerous.”
The ministry, in a press release, explained that the student would have been “medically cleared” and was placed in an entirely separate teaching block and invigilated by trained medical personnel wearing the appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
“The ministry refutes this statement as untrue. We remind the union that it is our collective duty to act in the best interest of all of our children at all times. Students who are positive, medically cleared to write their examinations and choose to write their examinations, shall and are being facilitated by the Ministry of Education,” the release stated.

The ministry further stated that strategies were predetermined in the eventuality that a student is tested positive for the COVID-19 virus prior to the June 28 commencement of the exams. Systems were put in place at each school to facilitate the students still being afforded the opportunity to write the examinations.
“The Ministry of Education was never oblivious to the reality that we may have to face such a situation during this time, and, as such, we made all the necessary preparations. A good education system has to be one that is responsive to arising needs and new situations in a manner that places our students in the least disadvantaged position,” the release said.
Meanwhile, the ministry extended its appreciation to the teachers and medical personnel who have stayed true to their promise to serve all without fear or favour, and expressed its recommitment to work collaboratively with all stakeholders to ensure that students have the best resources to succeed.