More than 500 schools are reopening for face-to-face classes
More than 500 schools across Jamaica reopened their gates to face-to-face classes for students sitting upcoming examinations.
Face-to-face classes were suspended in March this year as part of new measures to contain the spread of the novel coronavirus. The measure first implemented in March 2020, when the first case of COVID-19 was confirmed on the island, with instruction continuing remotely.
The Government last week announced the resumption of face-to-face classes to facilitate last-minute preparations for this year's sitting of PEP for primary school students, and the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) and Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examinations (CAPE), as well as City & Guilds papers for high school students.
Minister of Education Fayval Williams, who visited Dunoon Park Technical High School in Kingston this morning to observe proceedings, said that more institutions are expected to reopen during this week.
She indicated that the necessary protocols are in place to ensure the safety of students and teachers.
“It would not have been the first time that the students would be back in the physical environment. Through the Ministry of Health and Wellness, we've done the physical inspections to make sure the signs are there, the wash stations, and so forth,” she noted.
During the visit to Dunoon, the education minister toured classes and spoke with students about the importance of safeguarding themselves against the virus.
At St Aloysius Primary in downtown Kingston, Guidance Counsellor Craig Denton shared that the school worked overtime to prepare students.
He pointed to temperature check stations on the school compound, which will be utilised throughout the day. However, he lamented that PEP students had a short time for preparations.
“My drawback is that we have less than two weeks, so a lot of things have to be put in place. It is up to the child now to see how best they can absorb the information. It is a lot for all stakeholders,” he said.
“When they get here, the children proceed to a table where their temperature is recorded, and their hands are sanitised. We have been hitting the ground running. On Sunday, up to 11:00 pm, we had persons here sterilising and sanitising each chair and desk to get this up and running. When I came here at 6:30 am, our principal, Althea Palmer, was already making sure everything was in order.
Grade 11 student, Shaemoy Willis, told JIS News that she was “really excited” to return to face-to-face learning.
“At home, I had Internet problems; it's either slow, or it goes away often. I prefer physical classes because it's more interesting,” she pointed out.
Mikhail Bygrave, who is also in grade 11, said he was happy to be back in the physical school environment, but he prefers online classes.
“I don't have an issue with the online classes. The students are muted when they're not asking a question or contributing to discussions, so you don't have the interruptions,” he said.
Mikhail said he feels “very prepared” for the upcoming Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate exams.
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