2021 School Year to Continue for Another Term in 2022, Says Kumar

The 2021 school academic cal­endar will continue from January to March next year.

This was clarified by the Minister for Education Premila Kumar dur­ing her school visits in Nausori yesterday.

The fourth term will begin in Jan­uary to March next year, accommo­dating students who are currently in preschool level to Year 11.

This term will be known as the fourth term, allowing students to catch up on the schoolwork they had missed out this year. Ms Kumar requested teachers to be patient with students when school starts.

“The fourth term will start from January next year. This means this year continues until next year,” Ms Kumar said.

“This is to avoid confusion some parents have. They are confused about when their child will move from Year 8 to Year 9,” she said.

This now means that the new aca­demic year (2022 Term 1) will start in April.

Ms Kumar further said that the ministry was also considering four school terms in a year to coincide with the Australia and New Zea­land school holidays.

“These are some of the proposals brought to us and we will consider all that and come to a decision.”

Counselling available for students

Ms Kumar reminded the teachers that counsellors would be available if they see changes in a student’s behaviour.

She shared that things will not be the same when the students return to school.

“We will have to expect the stu­dents to behave differently espe­cially after spending more than six months at home,” she said.

“Have patience because it will not be easy for you. You know your stu­dents before and after they return to school. When you notice their behavioural change, please contact the counsellors.

“COVID-19 did bring a lot of changes and if there is anything you would like to bring to our atten­tion, the ministry is there for you,” she told teachers.

Ms Premila will continue her visit to Navua schools today.

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