The Ministry of Education has noted that the return to the physical classroom for students, earlier today, February 7 was a successful one. According to the Ministry based on their reports, 99% of about 600 schools were able to welcome students physically.

At secondary schools, teacher and student attendance averaged 84.5% and 65% respectively, while at primary schools, 91% of teachers and 73% of students were in attendance.

Ministers of Education, Dr Nyan Gadsby-Dolly and Lisa Morris- Julian, along with officials of the Ministry of Education, visited six schools in East and North Trinidad. They met with school officials and children on the first day of in-person classes for Standard 5 and Forms 1 to 3.

The schools visited were Lakshmi Girls’ Hindu College; El Dorado West Secondary School; El Socorro South Government Primary School; Lower Morvant Government Primary School; Laventille Girls’ Government Primary School; and Belmont Secondary School. The Ministry also said that the enthusiasm and excitement of the students made the day even more special as students in Forms 1 and 2 were entering their physical schools for the first time since sitting the S.E.A.

Minister Gadsby-Dolly urged students to follow all protocols to help ensure their safety.

“We at the Ministry of Education are happy to see you back in school. We are doing all we can to make sure that you are safe, however, there are also some things that you must do to stay safe so that we can keep school open. Remember to wear your mask, wash your hands and watch your distance,” she noted.