The Ministry has opted for a more cautious approach. The so-called normal resumption, full face-to-face for the second part of the second term will be a lengthened and redefined version of the current Staggered classes
In her press briefing on Thursday 7th October, she was concise but precise. VPM and Education Minister Leela Devi Dookun-Luchoomun made it clear that “since there are still cases of Covid-19 in the population, the most prudent approach will be to retain the spirit of ‘Staggered Classing’ with some changes. We hope to have a better overall Covid situation by January 2022 for the restoration of the full presential”.
Primary and secondary schools: 3- and 4-day schools
Both private and government schools will have to comply to these new rules.
For primary school students, the school day will be as follows. Those in grades 1 and 2 will be in attendance on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. Grades 3 and 4 will be on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. For grades 5 and 6 four days of face-to-face attendance on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
In the colleges those admitted in grades 7, 7 extended, 8 and 8 extended will have three days of classes, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. Grades 9 and 9 extended will have Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. Grades 10 and 12 will have four days on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays. For grades 11 and 13, the face-to-face will be Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.
“Schools will resume morning assembly and physical education classes but they must all be done in accordance with the social distancing. These conditions will remain in place until the end of the second term on 17th December” said LDDL.
However, no changes have been made in the pre-primary and Special Educational Needs schools. “Classes will not be held with less than 15 pupils. If these schools exceed this mark, they will have to switch to Staggered Classing as well” she advised.
In case of covid
There will be no more school closures in case a pupil is tested positive. “The concerned pupil will be placed in isolation as well as those who have been in direct contact with him/her. The class will resume after disinfection of the premises,” she warned.
To date, “12,000 to 13,000 students have been vaccinated against Covid-19 with the vaccination programme continuing until 20 October,” the Minister announced. These students are between 15 and 17 years old.
Grade 1 admissions from Monday 11 to 21 October
On Monday 11 October, registration for admission to Grade 1 in June 2022 will begin. Eligible children will be those who have already celebrated their 5th birthday before 31 May 2022. This exercise will be conducted in alphabetical order and in accordance with the relevant departmental timetable, i.e. from 9.30 to 11.30 and from 12.30 to 14.30. For A to D – 11, 12 and 13 October. E to L – October 14, 15 and 18 and M to Z – October 19, 20 and 21. Admission must be made according to the catchment area. The parent should bring his/her identity card and the child’s birth certificate, both in original and photocopy, as well as his/her last three CEB bills as proof of address. The parent must be vaccinated to have access to the schools or produce a PCR test dated less than 7 days, for the minister “the parent must have a responsibility towards his or her child but also towards others in the school premises“.
