Minister raises concern over schools in Wineperu holding classes without permission
– children seen with no face masks to protect them from COVID-19 infection
Students were seen crossing the VHI site, with no face masks. (Photo: DPI)
Kaieteur News – Labor Minister Joseph Hamilton has pointed out that unauthorized physical education is still ongoing in the Wineperu area of Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), despite the fact that the Ministry of Education only allowed sessions a physical classroom for students in Grades 10, 11 and 12.
Speaking to Kaieteur News by phone on Friday, Hamilton made the revelation as he drew several comments during his recent site visit to Vaitarna Private Holdings Incorporated.
Kaieteur News understands that the students are of primary school age and were seen trotting through the site on their way to school with no face mask or other personal protective equipment to protect them from the COVID-19 virus.
A source told this newspaper that such incidents come in the light of long school closures and parents worried about the loss of learning that could occur as their children continue to stay home. This publication was also told that there are many cases of “bottom house” education, while parents and teachers cooperate to get their children to learn, but there is little vigilance against the virus, given the lack of resources some of them confronted.
Notably, Education Minister Priya Manickchand had shed light on the issue of “black market learning” on Kaieteur Radio’s “Wakeup Guyana” radio program, in which she defended the reopening of schools subject to face-to-face learning that began on November 9.
On the program, Manickchand addressed concerns raised about the reopening of schools stating that it provided efficient teaching so that they could complete their School Assessments (SBAs) and Internal Assessments (IAs), in light of the 2021 Education Certificate Exam Caribbean Secondary (CSEC) and Advanced Caribbean Proficiency Examination (CAPE).
The decision came after heavy consultation with teachers and students and both parties were extremely concerned that they would not be ready for CSEC and CAPE next year, due to the lack of face-to-face classes.
He said this had led to “black market teaching” in some schools, meaning that teachers held classes in school without permission. Manickchand said black market learning did not provide any proper rules and regulations for COVID-19, which posed a risk of damaging the children.
She had also noted that online learning was not efficient for completing SBAs and IAs, as many students and others lacked proper internet connectivity that lacked focus, which could be hindered by personal learning.
Over the months Manickchand has been dedicated to encouraging teachers, parents and students to comply with all regulations set to prevent them from contracting the COVID-19 and promoting safe learning.