With in-person classes for students in Form 4 to Form 6 set to resume on Monday, Tabaquite MP and shadow education minister for the UNC, Anita Haynes, is calling on the Ministry of Education (MoE) to re-evaluate their position as many unanswered questions remain.
She said government should seek to alleviate the worries of parents by presenting a clear plan of action that is grounded in data and accounts for all students.
Haynes added, “The Ministry of Education has adopted a high-handed approach, closing off lines of communication and dictating policy without the benefit of insight from key stakeholders. It is clear that, as the Ministry continues to charge ahead, many people remain left out and left behind.”
During an interview with GML, she said “We can all agree that all schools are not equally equipped. While some schools may be able to undertake synchronous learning and in-person classes, the reality is that many others will face challenges of manpower, technology and infrastructure. There is a real risk of unvaccinated students falling behind.”
Haynes said: “On the eve of the resumption of in-person classes, many schools are still figuring out their individual action plans which must be submitted to the Ministry of Education. I hope that the ministry will utilise the data – albeit after the fact for this resumption – to further inform policies, accounting for the variables in resource availability in the short and medium term.”
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