By Sue-Ann Wayow
JUST over 50 per cent of children across all levels of schools attended classes on the first day of the third school term on Tuesday.
It was also the first day that physical school re-opened for all, after almost two years as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Ministry of Education in a press release on Tuesday evening stated that based on data submitted, 52% Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) centres, 64% primary and 67% secondary school pupils attended physical classes within the public school system across Trinidad.
This was a total of 121,609 students throughout 820 schools.
The ministry stated that in ten schools, critical works undertaken during the Easter vacation period were too extensive for completion in the required timeframe and pupils remain on rotational schedules while these will be completed during this week.
The teacher turnout at public primary and secondary schools were 95% and 88% respectively, with 97% attendance at the ECCE level.
The ministry also stated that the School Feeding Programme, managed by the National Dietary Services Limited, operated fully at schools, providing 55,954 breakfast meals and 66,659 lunch meals to students.
School Transport also began for previously approved routes and additional approvals were expected throughout this week so that the service will be available along all routes by April 25, the ministry added.
Minister of Education Dr Nyan Gadsby-Dolly, in her back-to-school welcome message delivered on behalf of herself and Minister in the Ministry Lisa Morris-Julian, said, “Trinidad and Tobago is happy, like all countries around the world, to bring our children back out to physical school where they have the best chance at educational success.”
Both ministers stated they were heartened by the attendance of both pupils and teachers on the first day of physical return to school for all students adding, “This would not have been possible without the dedication of stakeholders, partners, administrators, teachers, students, parents and the staff of the ministry.”
The Ministry of Education stated through its network of district offices, will continue to closely monitor and support the operations at schools across all seven districts in Trinidad, to ensure the safety and security of children as they make the transition back to the physical classroom.
The ministry stated, “The staff of the Student Support Services Division have planned, and are implementing sessions in all schools, aimed at helping students make this transition seamlessly, which may prove challenging for some.
“In addition, the Ministry of National Security, through the Community Police, has partnered with the Ministry of Education in a collaborative effort to provide 36 officers to assist the staff of Student Support Services at selected Secondary Schools, which will lend further support for the maintenance of a safe and secure learning environment for all students and staff.”
The ministry also wished all a safe, successful and productive term.
