Faced with worrying COVID-19 trends, Education Minister Dr Nyan Gadsby-Dolly says the ministry is open to considering all recommendations as it relates to the reopening of the new school term in January.
The ministry has proposed a full return of Forms One, Two and Three, to join Forms Four-Six, when the term reopens in January.
Speaking to Guardian Media yesterday, Dr Gadsby-Dolly said she has been meeting with stakeholders to address concerns.
“The meetings take place this week, yes, and all recommendations will be considered,” she said.
Meanwhile, Movement for Concerned Parents president Clarence Mendoza said he has a meeting with the Minister on Friday. He noted that based on what has happened this term, it was evident that more supervision was needed in schools because of increased infections. Data shows there are 14 schools that have recorded infections, Mendoza said. He lamented that some principals were continuing to withhold information about infections, putting people at risk.
“We are seeing teachers coming down with the virus and some principals are following the protocols by informing staff members, MTS guards and other stakeholders, but there are other principals who are not informing PTA and even members who are on the compound. This is creating problems for the Ministry of Health because contact tracing is a problem when they take it upon themselves to withhold information,” Mendoza said.
He said he hopes the ministry will speak out about this.
“While the Ministry has given the principals autonomy, not informing the staff or parents is a problem that we have to get rectified now,” Mendoza said.
While he is not in favour of the termination of face-to-face examinations at the end of this term, Mendoza said he hopes more staff could be hired to assist.
Facebook group Trinimoms administrator Michelle Foreman meanwhile said there have been mixed views about the reopening of schools.
“There are a lot of parents who are very anxious to get kids back in school because they recognised the social and developmental issues that are becoming apparent the longer their kids stay home. There are valid concerns about how safe the environment will be as to what precautions are in place for schools,” Foreman said.
She said the online system has not worked for some parents.
“Parents are looking at social developmental issues and are trying to get the best environment for the students. The online system has lacked in some areas and some parents want a different option to address it,” she said.
She said parents must liaise with their students, teachers and other school officials to find out what is in place to safeguard children.
Meanwhile, Joint Trade Union Movement president Ancel Roget said people, particularly women, have had a difficult time juggling work and online classes.
“Women who are working have a difficult role to play supervising virtual classes and still trying to work. At the end of the day, either the children’s education or the ability to work was curtailed,” Roget said.
TTUTA Antonia Tekah-De Freitas and other stakeholders are expected to meet with Gadsby-Dolly on Friday to address concerns.