by Kevon Browne
St. Kitts and Nevis (WINN): “The Ministry believes that the health and safety of all students, teachers and staff must be given top priority. However, it also holds the view that the continuing education of our students is paramount,” said the Hon. Jonel Powell, Minister with responsibility for education.
Such is the balancing act that officials have to engage in as schools are set to reopen next week.
After a cabinet meeting on Friday, January 7, government officials, through consultation with the health authorities, decided that schools will reopen for face-to-face instruction on Monday, January 10, only for early childhood development facilities and 5th form students.
“These students are in the process of preparing to write CXC examinations and at this critical junction require face-to-face instruction. Therefore, the main objectives during this two week period are to ensure that these students are able to complete their SBAs (School Based Assessments) and remain on target for the completion of the CXC syllabus in time for the exams; which are scheduled for May of 2022.”
Fifth form students from the Basseterre High and Washington Archibald High Schools will report to school for all-day sessions during the first two weeks of the second term and will revert to the shift system from January 24.
According to Minister Powell, secondary school students from first to fourth form, AVEC students and primary school students will commence face-to-face instruction two weeks later on January 24.
During the two weeks, the students will focus on revision work disseminated by the schools and their teachers to be completed. The school will be in communication with parents about the work required.
The Minister urged parents to be guided by their children’s teachers concerning the revision.
WINN contacted a teacher who asked to remain anonymous and shared that regardless of how diligent any teacher may be, the students and parents tend not to be on the same page. From their personal experience, each class will have two or three parents who will ensure that whatever work is sent is completed, but this is not the majority.
The teacher fears that students will still fall behind even with revision work because teachers can introduce no new material.
The new measures are in light of the fourth wave of infections in the Federation. The minister reported that additional teaching staff made up of retired and part-time teachers and ancillary staff are being prepared if there is an outbreak in the staff pool within any of the schools.
Powell also shared that since the start of the new wave, some students and teachers have been infected with COVID-19.
