By Sue-Ann Wayow
ALL Standard Five pupils writing the Secondary Entrance Assessment (SEA) in March will be required to attend physical classes four days a week from February 7.
This is for preparation for the exam scheduled for March 31.
And, all pupils regardless of Covid-19 vaccination status attending Forms One to Three in secondary schools will be required to attend physical classes at least two days weekly and five days in a ten-day cycle.
These were some of the decisions made by the Ministry of Education following consultation with key stakeholders over the past three months regarding the operations of schools in Term II 2021/2022.
In a press release on Tuesday, the ministry stated, “While there are many different views on the return to physical school and how it should be implemented, the major concerns centre around the safety of all school personnel, and the quality of life and education to which the children of Trinidad and Tobago are exposed.”
Details of the rotational basis will be communicated to parents and pupils and principals, the ministry stated.
The ministry stated, “Students who are not rostered for physical attendance are to be assigned asynchronous assignments. It is recognised that since February 2021, many teachers have been assigning asynchronous work for Forms One-Three as they straddle both online and physical classes.
“Teachers have, and will continue to receive guidance and training in methods for maximizing hybrid teaching approaches such as the flipped classroom so that the effectiveness of asynchronous classes will be maximized. Teachers have also received the critical areas for curriculum completion, which will allow them to make the most of physical classes with students.”
Standard Five pupils will be required to attend school physically from February 7 to March 29 during the hours of 8.30 am to 2 pm, for the four days. On Wednesdays, teaching should be virtual to allow for thorough school cleaning.
For the duration of the academic year, schools will also be mandated to relax school uniform requirements, especially with regard to the colour and type of school shoes. The requisite memo will be sent to principals, who will guide parents or guardians accordingly.
The School Feeding Program, which is already in operation for Term II, will continue to be available to eligible students in physical attendance. School Transport will resume when attendance numbers are finalised.
“Where approved, as presently obtains, temporary virtual school operation will be utilised, on a case-by-case basis, as a part of the overall Covid management strategy,” the ministry added.
Detailed guidelines will be sent to schools via Circular Memorandum, and made available to the public.
On the issue of vaccination, the ministry stated, “The Government maintains the position that Covid-19 vaccines are available, and continue to be the best protection against becoming grievously ill if students contract the virus. Parents are therefore strongly encouraged to vaccinate eligible children as they return to the classroom.”
The ministry acknowledged the efforts of all involved and asked for continued cooperation and commitment during the transitionary period.
