It was Slinger “Mighty Sparrow” Francisco who opened his hit tune with the lyrics, “Education, education, this is the foundation.”
His words sum up nicely the motto which should be prevailing in the minds of all education stakeholders as they discuss the Government’s decision to allow fully vaccinated students from Forms 1 to 3 to return to physical classes, joining those from upper school already back out for two weeks now.
The majority of these students, save for those who wrote the Secondary Entrance Assessment (SEA) and Caribbean Examination Council (CXC) exams last year, have not seen a school compound or sat inside a classroom since March 16, 2020. Spare a thought too for the SEA pupils of last year who have not yet even seen the inside of their new secondary schools or teachers in the flesh.
There has been enormous and vociferous talk about the challenges and failures of online learning. During this time, there have also been several discussions both formal and informal about the most appropriate time for face-to-face classes to resume.
But with COVID-19 not showing any signs of going away magically overnight, many parents, teachers, stakeholders and the students involved are torn between two worlds. Some readily admit to the need for children to socialise with their peers, interact in-person with their teachers and in an environment that stimulates learning. However, this is countered by concern for the health and safety of children with the deadly Delta variant now lurking and the fact that talks between the Ministry of Education and the Trinidad and Tobago Unified Teachers’ Association on the full return of all students seem to be going nowhere.
The issue about adequate spacing to accommodate students within the social distancing guidelines, as well as conducting virtual classes for those at home are both valid concerns, which require well thought out logistics and meticulous planning.
But nothing should supersede the education of the nation’s children.
Last year, as the Government, parents and teachers tried to navigate online learning, there were many complaints of children left behind because they could not access that education. Those children still exist today, even as a new concern about restarting in-person classes is raging.
What we are certain of, however, is that T&T’s education system must adapt to COVID’s demands and is heading into unchartered territory.
Now that a window presents itself for children to return to physical classes, everything should be said and done to make this happen safely for them.
This is why there must be compromise, conciliation and civility whenever education stakeholders meet.
No party should see a decision as a win for the other, or a shift in approach as a sign of weakness.
The fate and education of the nation’s children depend on the conduct and results of these meetings.
But more importantly, the nation’s children are looking on at those who say they have their best interests at heart and any misstep could very well leave the wrong message on their impressionable minds.