Ministry Of Education Outlines Approach For Limited Reopening Of Schools 

PR – The limited re-opening of schools announced recently by  Minister for Education, Hon. Emmalin Pierre, comes into effect on Monday, November 1, 2021. 

The decision to open schools for a two-week period for specified groups of students was taken after  intensive consultation with the Ministry of Health and education stakeholders including the Education  Advisory Council, management boards of denominational schools, Grenada Union of Teachers, principals, parents and students. 

Among the issues highlighted were students who have not been engaged in online learning since the  commencement of the current school term; exam readiness of students in exit classes, such as Form 5; the  inability to engage early learners online in significant ways; students who are low-performing and reading  below their grade level; remote learning difficulties faced by special education students; teachers who are  not engaging their students and teachers who are challenged in creating quality content for online learning.  

Minister Pierre also cited the escalation of the abuse of minors, attempted suicides and loitering during  school hours among social and behavioural issues, which are often attributed to remote learning, and high  stress levels among teachers in adapting to online learning. She detailed concerns relating to national  examination trends, which show a decline in pass rates for Mathematics and English in the CSEC  examinations.  

Referencing the Week Three Remote Learning Report, Minister Pierre said 21, 932 students were enrolled, but only 55.7 percent recorded satisfactory participation in online learning. She also noted that only 70  percent of teachers are submitting remote learning data.

As a result, the Ministry of Education, guided by the Cabinet and the Ministry of Health, has determined that it is prudent for some measure of reopening of schools. First priority for resumption will be given to  students in exit grades and second priority to students who have not been satisfactorily engaged in remote  learning for various reasons. 

Phase one of the reopening of schools, including the T.A. Marryshow Community College, is as follows: 

INSTITUTION  MONDAYS  TUESDAYS  WEDNESDAYS  TO FRIDAYS
Pre-Primary and Primary  Schools Kindergarten to Grade 2 Pre-Schoolers/3+ Grades 3, 4 & 5 

Pre-Schoolers/3+

Pre-Schoolers/4+ Grade 6
Secondary Schools  Forms 1 & 2  Forms 3 & 4  Form 5
T.A. Marryshow  Community College  (TAMCC) Year one  Year One  Year Two
All other schools 

(For these groups, students  will return according to  grade level.)

Disconnected students of  other grades to attend,  according to school  specific plans. Disconnected 

students of other  grades to attend,  according to  school specific  plans.

Students of the exit  grades specific to  these institutions  shall attend  Wednesday 

Friday.

Classes for exit grades, forms and classes are Wednesdays to Fridays, while Mondays and Tuesdays are specifically designated to engage and to follow-up with students who have not been demonstrating an  interest in online classes, or who are unable connect. On Wednesdays to Fridays, ALL students in exit  classes should report for face-to-face classes. 

The principals of special needs schools will contact parents on specific arrangements for this group of  students. Students who are unable to wear a mask and who have underlying medical conditions are advised 

to remain at home. School Attendance Officers will follow up with students and parents during this period,  to ensure compliance.  

For schools currently undergoing construction, the principal, maintenance officer and contractor will  determine whether work continues, or whether the work schedule should be altered to accommodate the  reopening of school. Additionally, the Education Ministry will continue to provide cleaning supplies and  personnel for sanitising public schools.  

Explaining the process for reopening of private schools, Hon. Pierre said, “Private schools shall submit an  electronic application, seeking approval for resumption. Approval will be granted on a case-by-case basis,  depending on factors like the number of students and the size of the school. Monitors will be assigned to  follow-up and to check for compliance.”