With the new school term scheduled to begin on September 1st, the Education Ministry has outlined plans for the unprecedented educational climate during this pandemic period.

The three month term, which ends on Dec 11th, will depend heavily on remote learning, to avoid a significant rise in cases among students and staff.

With some 65,000 students not having access to online learning platforms according to Education Minister, Dr. Nyan Gadsby-Dolly,  alternative arrangements have been made to ensure no child gets left behind. 

“Teachers are expected to prepare printed packages for these students so that they can access the education they so desperately need. These printed packages will be available at schools,” she said, during a press conference on Friday morning.

Parents have also been urged to maintain contact with their children’s teachers, to ensure lessons are being properly received. 

The first three days of the term (September 1st-4th) will be an orientation period for new students, and will include planning activities for staff.

The second week of school, September 7th -14th, is carded for student orientation, parent orientation, learning resource preparation, and further planning activities if required. Classes will also begin during this time. All schools should be engaged in teaching and learning by September 14th.

Understanding the novelty of the experience for students, the Ministry has decided that no final exams will be set. Instead, teachers will use continuous assessment for grading purposes.

While students will be required to stay at home, teachers have the option of utilizing the school’s resources if they desire. School buildings will be open  to teachers who want to access wifi or printing services. However, work from home arrangements should be approved by principals once delivery is not impacted.

Channels 4 &16 have been assigned to the MOE to run educational material exclusively. A schedule will be published in the near future. A weekly pullout in the print media targeting the ECCE and Infant year activities will be available to parents.

Finally, the School Feeding program will continue, providing 500 lunches per day to the 41 MP Offices from Sept 7th to allow for distribution throughout the community to children who require this service.