–most schools are ready, Education Minister says

EDUCATION Minister Priya Manickhand on Friday disclosed that school for all students preparing for next year’s Caribbean Examination Council (CXC) examinations and those in Grade 10 will be reopened within two weeks.

She was at the time addressing teachers, parents, and other Region Two (Pomeroon- Supenaam) residents at the Johanna Cecilia Secondary School.
Minister Manickchand told the sizeable gathering that while an exact date is still to be identified, parents are urged to be prepared.
Schools will be reopened to those who will be writing the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examination and Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE) in 2021, and also Grade 10 students who will write CSEC in 2022.

Those gathered were assured that this move was made by the Ministry of Education to ensure all students are prepared for the examinations, even as she reiterated that the Ministry has no control over the setting of the exam dates.

She emphasised that all can be assured that students will be returning to a safe environment.
It was explained that schools are currently being outfitted with appropriate signage that is required for the adherence of the COVID-19 guidelines. Aside from signs, sanitising agents, masks and face shields will be made available to all teachers and students. Most of the schools, Minister Manickchand said, are in a state of readiness, and that within two weeks, everything will be in place.

She explained that while many parents prefer at home learning for their children, the completion of the School-Based Assessment (SBA) and practical laboratory works cannot be conducted in such an environment, as faced-to-face teaching is required.

As such, Minister Manickchand said that teachers are responsible for the creation of timetables, which will permit themselves and students to work comfortably. She warned that if schools do not undertake this task, then the respective Departments of Education will step in.

“Secondary schools will have full licence to open any day; you will have to keep the children engaged at your own time. You can choose when you want to make teachings available, but it must be done efficiently; the partnership is needed,” Minister Manickchand said.

DEALING WITH COVID-19
Addressing the pandemic, the Minister stressed that the coronavirus will be around for as long as three years. In this regard, she said the Ministry cannot afford to keep children home, especially those that will be writing the CXC examinations. She said that studies have proven that children who are not engaged academically tend to have learning loss, which eventually leads to school dropouts. Accordingly, the Ministry is working feverishly to engage children at all levels, and thus far has placed a lot of emphasis on the content aired on the Guyana Learning Channel.

The channel is focusing on work that should be done by teachers at the various levels, and each week a different topic is dealt with. The minister used the opportunity to encourage parents to let their children tune in to the Learning Channel.
It was explained that while the ministry cannot replace the value of a teacher in front of the classroom, emphasis is placed on having teaching disseminated through various communication mediums, such as radio and television.

Minister Manickchand told the parents that for those who have a loss of Internet connectivity in their community, the Ministry will be providing worksheets. The worksheets which are being distributed in every region, were “beautifully” done and focused on lessons, questions, and exercises, she added.
Meanwhile, as it relates to the reopening of primary schools, Minister Manickchand said this will not be possible for 2020, but commended the efforts of some schools, including CV Nunes Primary, that are currently working with their pupils.

It was also mentioned that children will undergo wellness screening through the Ministry whenever they return to school. Also, counsellors will be at various schools assessing the mental health of children, and based on their findings, a team will be dispatched from the Ministry to assist those who require help.

In responding to parents who asked if grades can be repeated, the minister said that she remains positive that children, parents and teachers will partner to ensure this does not happen.
Region Two Chairwoman, Vilma De Silva; Regional Vice Chairman, Humace Odit and PPP/C councillor, Arnold Adams also attended the meeting.
Other meetings were conducted at Aurora, Anna Regina, and Charity.