The Ministry of Education, on Thursday, said it is providing support to all principals, teachers and students during the period of the premature closure of schools due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
A decision was taken earlier this week to close all schools in St. Vincent and the Grenadines on March 20, one week earlier than the scheduled Easter break.
Senior Education Officer – Curriculum Development Unit, Aldia Gumbs-Dyer said that to ensure that all students are not negatively affected by the sudden disruption of the school term, principals teachers, parents and guardians are asked to note that they can access learning materials for students on the Curriculum Unit website.
Practice tests are also available on the site for students sitting the Caribbean Primary Exit Assessment (CPEA).
“The ministry is currently in the process of working with teachers to put together worksheets and other learning materials that will be made available in hard copies for students who may be unable to access the internet,” Gumbs-Dyer said
Telecommunications company, Digicel, is also working with the Ministry of Education to have web-based learning sites and platforms zero rated. This means if an individual is out of Wi-Fi range they would still be able to access the site without the need for paying data.
Plans are also being made to have educators trained to deliver online education to students where the need arises.
The ministry reminded the public that all scheduled school activities for the rest of the school term have been postponed until further notice.
“The Ministry of Education is working along with educators and stakeholders to ensure the continued delivery of education to our students as well as to safeguard their health and wellbeing at this critical time,” Gumbs-Dyer said in the statement.
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