Please allow me to commend Education Minister Anthony Garcia and officials of the ministry for coming out on Friday to speak with the media and the population about the reopening of schools and plans to administer the CXC exams which will start on July 13. The Permanent Secretary said the ministry will spend about $6M to ensure all health and safety requirements are met for students to write CXC & CAPE exams and also for the reopening of schools on September 1.
It’s also comforting as a parent to hear the Education Ministry is collaborating with the Health Ministry for preparations to reopen the schools and principals have been briefed on personal hygiene measures and other protocols which must be observed on the compound to keep staff and students safe. The information shared at the news conference is very timely because many parents have to return to work this week as Government reopens the public service and other areas of the economy.
I look forward to the ministry informing the population similarly on plans for the writing of the SEA exams. I know Minister Garcia said they are awaiting word from TTUTA after recent discussions, however, I think this matter must be addressed urgently since SEA students in a few other Caribbean countries are back in schools with their teachers preparing for the SEA exam.
Robert Gillian
Port-of-Spain