Reminders for phased, physical re-opening of schools Published by
The Education Ministry announced the phased physical reopening of schools February 8 for students of Forms Four to Six using a “hybrid system”. Classes resume April 12, Term Three for Standard Five children preparing for the Secondary Entrance Assessment exam.
The hybrid system will involve online classes and students reporting for school to complete practicals, SBAs (School Based Assessments) and internal assessments. “Physical teaching classes to be held only when absolutely necessary,” Minister of Education Nyan Gadsby-Dolly announced at a media briefing at the Education Tower, Port of Spain on January 26.
She explained the phased re-opening became necessary because of the requirement for students to complete practicals, SBAs and internal assessments for the Caribbean Examination Council (CXC).
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Exam students go back to school on February 8
Minister of Education Dr Nyan Gadsby-Dolly - SUREASH CHOLAI
Minister of Education Dr Nyan Gadsby-Dolly said the first cohort of students will return to face-to-face classes on February 8.
In a press conference at the Education Towers in Port of Spain on Tuesday, the minister announced that only students preparing for 2021 examinations will be allowed to return to physical classrooms.
This includes standard five Secondary Entrance Assessment (SEA) students, and forms four, five, and six students preparing for the Caribbean Examination Council’s (CXC) examinations, Caribbean Secondary Entrance Certificates (CSEC) and Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE).
JANELLE BERNARD
President of the Trinidad and Tobago Unified Teachers Association (TTUTA), Antonia De Freitas, is strongly advising parents to instil in their children the importance of observing all the COVID-19 health protocols including social distancing when schools are reopened on a phased basis in February.
De Freitas says ensuring there is no spread of the COVID-19 virus is a matter of personal responsibility, and students must do their part.
“Parents must reiterate these factors to students, because we would not want to embark upon this phased reopening and then we have to close school because we have cases mounting, or because we recognise that students in the secondary level especially are not doing what they are supposed to do,” the teachers union boss said.
Visitors to the school compound must be kept to a minimum)
2.
Schools must have a designated quarantine area
Students who display flu-like symptoms should be assigned to the quarantine area to await pick-up. Teachers, health and safety officers, security officers or staff may identify these students to the principal.
3.
Schools must follow specific safety protocols in the following circumstances (as explained in the MOE’s Guidelines document)
Staff or student displays flu-like symptoms
Staff or student tests positive for COVID-19
Staff or student is identified as a primary contact of a person who has tested positive for COVID-19
Medial clearance is required for staff or student to re-enter the school population after being suspected/confirmed to have contracted COVID-19