Since March, students have had to adapt to a virtual learning environment in preparation for exams with no clear date on when they will be held. Now a timetable has been set, secondary schools opened to accommodate classes for upcoming exams. School administrators have also implemented the relevant measures in preparedness for the students’ return. Desk and Chairs have been placed 6 feet apart and students are wearing masks. The present concern is whether these students will abide by the protocols in place and practice social distancing over the coming days.
It is for this reason that State Minister in the Education Ministry Alando Terrelonge visited schools in St. Catherine on Monday to assess their preparedness.
“We would have provided funding to ensure that schools have their sanitising equipment. We would have started about two weeks – the cleansing and sanitizing of our schools as well – and certainly before schools went out we would have providing materials to the schools to ensure they have the requisite sanitizing protocols and everything being followed.”
He says safe zones have also been placed at schools where students can remove their masks and maintain social distancing.
Now, while the State Minister has made this assessment, the Leader of the Opposition Dr. Peter Phillips made it a point of duty to evaluate the state of schools in the corporate area.
“I sense a level of apprehension and I think our main challenge as a country is to reassure them and encourage them so that they don’t find that because of the accident of this event occurring when they have CXC that their lives are unalterably affected,” says Dr. Phillips
Phillips believes that there is still room for improvement and infrastructure development at schools across the island. However, for now, classes for students will continue up to July 27 when CSEC and CAPE exams begin.
