Student-free days are compulsory and teachers are expected to attend, says Permanent Secretary for Education, Heritage and Arts Alison Burchell.

Teachers are to report at their schools for the three student-free days which started yesterday and will continue tomorrow.

“If teachers are not present for all three days, this will be counted as leave without pay,” she said.

“With the cyclone largely having passed and transport starting to operate again, we expect teachers to be back in their regular schools by Monday January 14, 2019.

“If however, teachers can prove that they are still stranded, they need to inform the HR department and their school heads.”

She said teachers who are unable to return to their schools can attend student free days at the nearest school and are required to register for those three days.

“These compulsory student free days enable head teachers and principals to organize continuing professional development sessions, prepare lesson plans and lesson notes, analyse examination results, adopt best practices in their respective subject areas and prepare school year planners to capture curricular and extracurricular activities,” said Ms Burchell.

Seven student free days for 2019 have been set aside for teachers prior to the commencement of each school term.

“We look forward to working with teachers more closely to ensure that we provide the quality education to all students that will set them up for a bright future once they graduate from our schools into universities, technical and vocational institutions or into the world of work,” said Ms Burchell.

Students will begin classes next Monday and the Ministry requests parents to prepare their children for the first day of the school term accordingly.

Edited by Rosi Doviverata

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