With the last Term for 2021 starting tomorrow (January 4th), for Years 8 to 13, Minister for Education, Heritage and Arts Premila Kumar has urged parents to keep children who are sick at home.

“Parents are also being advised not to send their children to school if they are not feeling well. The students are expected to comply with COVID-safe measures introduced in school including wearing of masks.

“We must all take the necessary steps to reduce risk of COVID-19 in our communities to keep our schools safe,”

For Early Childhood Education (ECE) to Year 7 students, school starts next week on January 10th.

“While the return to school for many students may prove overwhelming, owing to their long absence from school, I want to assure parents, as well as students that the Ministry will be working closely with various schools to provide the necessary psycho-social support to our students in the first week of their return. In the first week of the school, teachers will identify and assist students in need,” Ms Kumar said.

In a statement, the Ministry indicated that they are well aware of the fact that not all students have had regular and reliable access to online learning tools during the long school closure, owing to COVID-19.   As such, the return of students to school in January will provide them with the opportunity and resources to work closely with their teachers to successfully complete the requirements of the 2021 academic year before progressing to the next level.

“We know that face to face learning is vital for the academic achievement, mental and physical health, and overall well-being of our students. By continuing to work together, we can help ensure a positive school experience for everyone,” said Ms Kumar.

The schools will be finalising the provisional enrolments for the 2022 academic year by the end of January 2022, giving parents and guardian’s ample time to prepare their children for the new school year.

“I wish all students well in their studies,” she said.

The commencement of the school in January will see Years 12 and 13 return to finish the final lap in their bid to successfully sit and complete their National Examinations. On the other hand, students, from ECE to Year 11, will return to school to complete the remaining coverage and revisit concepts covered during remote learning in 2021 so that they are well prepared to move to the next level in the new school year starting in April 2022.