By Sue-Ann Wayow
WHEN the new school term begins, all Covid-19 entry protocols will continue including masking.
This was announced by the Ministry of Education’s Chief Education Officer Dr Peter Smith.
On Monday, the ministry hosted a press conference to give an update on the opening of schools on September 5.
Physical school will be re-opened for all.
That includes 208 Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) centres, 476 primary schools, 134 secondary schools, 12 special schools and nine tertiary institutions.
Smith said, “In preparation for the re-opening of schools, the following health and safety protocols are in place. One, entry protocols will continue, masking, requirement for symptomatic school personnel to be removed from the school population, the ability of staff and students to return to physical school population without the need to a negative Covid test once they are not displaying flu like symptoms and the requirement for staff and students who are attending school physically while displaying flu-like symptoms to present a negative Covid test or in case of chronic medical condition a letter from a medical doctor at the start of the school year.”
He added, “Masking is necessary but not mandatory.”
Also speaking about the Vacation Revision Programme (VRP) conducted in schools, he said, pupils would have had additional teaching support in English Language Arts and Mathematics as well as psycho-social support for both pupils and parents from the Student Support Services Division. Breakfast and lunch were also provided.
Smith said although 9,000 pupils were anticipated to be involved in that programme, the ministry received 2,700 applications from parents and approximately 1,900 actually attended with 171 teachers providing instructions.
This occurred in 33 secondary schools.
The ministry is looking to have the VRP as an annual feature in different geographical areas.
More focus on certain schools
Dr Smith said that the ministry will place increased focus on providing resources, support and monitoring to schools which has a Form One intake of students achieving less than 50% in the Secondary Entrance Assessment (SEA), 26 schools already being identified for Phase One.
This was part of the Revised School Operation for 2022/2023.
Members of the protective forces have also been written to asking for assistance in providing motivational speeches to the pupils, he said.
Curriculum adjustment also include the requirement for registration of all students who scored 50% and under in SEA 2022 for the lower secondary proficiency examination formerly called primary school leaving certificate examination in July 2024 at the end of Form Two Dr Smith said.
That exam would focus on Mathematics, English Language Arts, Social Studies and Science.
There would also be the possibility of some pupils being allowed to spend an extra year at secondary schools if required.
A special consideration for those schools’ infrastructure will also be made by Cabinet he said which will require a separate source of funding outside of the customary allocation an estimation of $120 million.
Infrastructural work being done
Director of School Supervision Joy Griffith said 377 schools were identified with urgent infrastructural needs, 130 were identified for infrastructural work during the vacation period.
Those works continue to be ongoing with the National Maintenance Training and Security Company (MTS) as projects managers.
Griffith said all plumbing, sewer and electrical emergencies which may occur during this week and next week will also be attended to as a priority.
She also said 18,290 pieces of furniture were delivered to 100 secondary schools and 3, 223 pieces were being delivered to 130 primary schools.
Tenders have gone out for additional furniture and the bids are being evaluated, Griffith added.
Minister in the Ministry of Education Lisa Morris-Julian also said the ministry will be engaging schools in the celebration of the 60th anniversary of Independence with various activities planned.
