More than 80% student turnout to school in Berbice

Nov 10, 2020 News

– all schools well prepared says Minister of Labour and Regional Chairman.

Kaieteur News – Minister of Labour Joseph Hamilton, along with the Regional Chairman David Armogan and Education Officer Volika Jaikishun, yesterday visited a few schools in Berbice to assess the turnout and preparations that were put in place for Grade 10 and 11 students to return to school.

Region Six Regional Chairman, David Armogan.

Minister of Labour, Joseph Hamilton.

According to the Minister, the intention was to have ministers who were visiting the various regions to visit the schools to “ensure that everything is in order” and to ensure that the children and teachers are practising the COVID-19 guidelines in light of the deadly pandemic.

The Ministry of Education led by Minister Priya Manickchand had made the decision to have students from Grades 10 and 11 turn out to classes. In a release by the Ministry last month, it stated that Grades 10 and 11 students needed critical time in the classroom to complete their School Based Assessments (SBA) and as such, they were earmarked to be the first to return to school. The decision has since brought mixed reviews among Guyanese with some parents and teachers disagreeing with having the children back in school since it poses possible risks in light of COVID, while others applauded the move.

Visits to the Berbice High School and the New Amsterdam Multilateral School by Minister Hamilton revealed that the schools were prepared and students and teachers were ready and willing to work.

“Based on observations, everything was well prepared. We were given a tour of all the classrooms…the schools had a sick bay in the event of an emergency and the schools have set out rotation systems”, the Minister said.

Regional Chairman David Armogan disclosed that there was over 80% turnout at schools and what they noticed was that, “they were quite prepared for the COVID measures. All have proper toilet facilities, 3 – 4 sinks when you enter and water tanks.”

He added that there were persons checking the temperature at every school as they entered and social distancing was in full effect in the classrooms with all of the students and educators masked up with their sensitization kits that was prepared by the Ministry of Education.

“The fact that so many turned out is a good sign. I think we are well prepared at this time to ensure that our children and teachers are safe”, Armogan said.