With just over two weeks to go to the SEA examination stakeholders in the education sector are divided on whether classes should continue in the classroom or be held online.
At stake here are the 19,300 children who are due to write the Secondary Entrance Assessment Examination on August 20th, ten days after the country go to the polls.
So far six SEA students have tested positive for COVID-19 and 11 schools have been closed for sanitization. There are 476 primary schools in total.
The government, and in this case, the Ministers of Health and Education must collectively determine along with health officials and education stakeholders whether the lives of children are being put at risk by allowing them to continue classes in school.
In the US, the school year started yesterday but the uptick in COVID-19 cases in many states prompted districts to scrap in-person classes at least, for now, these included schools in Los Angeles, Philadelphia, and Washington.
While some may argue T&T does not face the same challenges as the US, there is no denying that with the recent increase in cases here, fear and concern among the population is rising.
Yesterday TTUTA President Tekah-De Frietas told Guardian Media that no exam is worth the risk to the lives of educations and students. At a time when COVID-19 seems to be affecting anyone, anywhere, it is important that this is looked at in a holistic manner, to take the words of De Frietas, “we must consider all lives as important.”
Indeed we must, but we must also look at this in a holistic way so that no child is denied the opportunity created for them to get these additional classes prior to the examination.
TTUTA’s suggestion that the children should stay home and have online classes has the support of the acting president of the National Parent-Teachers Association Clarence Mendoza who said schools should be closed to safeguard the health of all students at this time.
But President of the National Primary Schools Principals' Association Lance Mottley said the majority of his members felt schools should continue, with reduced hours.
Writing in this newspaper Paediatrician Dr David Bratt notes that a school environment where students feel safe and connected is associated with lower levels of depression, social anxiety as well as higher levels of self-esteem.
At this time the connection students feel in the classrooms with their peers may be just what they need as they prepare for what is the first major test of their lifetime the SEA examination.
Online learning like working from home has its own challenges and many students get frustrated without the human interaction required to help build morale. Then there are those who don’t have the opportunity for online learning because of circumstances. In this scenario, we must be fair to everyone.
All proper protocols should be put in place: students and educators must be encouraged to wear a mask to cover their nose and mouth. Sanitization is also key - surfaces must be cleaned and sanitized, social distance, wash hands with soap and water or use an alcohol-based sanitizer, stay home if you are ill.
Let us not squander the opportunity offered at this most crucial time to give our children some measure of preparation not just for those who can access online learning, but for the greater good of all.