The new calendar established by the Department of Education takes effect this Monday, October 18. Students in grades 1, 2, 3, 7 and 8 are set to attend classes three times a week while those in grades 5, 6 and 9, 10, 11, 12 and 13 will be in school four times a week.
This follows a decision made by the Department of Education on October 7, which implemented this new protocol.
Of course, masks must be worn by students, teachers and non-teaching staff.
But with the vaccination campaign for teenagers, arrangements have been made to ease some of the measures. Thus, physical education classes will resume as normally as possible. The Ministry has also allowed schools to hold morning assemblies while respecting physical distance standards and health measures.
Arrangements have also been made by school officials for students to observe social distancing and take the usual precautions.
The Ministry also recommends that cleaning and disinfection of school premises, water tanks, school buildings, canteens and classrooms should be carried out regularly.
In addition, the National Education Counselling Service (NECS) will provide ongoing psychological support.
There is still fear and anxiety among staff, teachers and non-teaching staff, parents and students for this term, which will end on December 17 with no scheduled break.
Some primary and secondary schools do not have enough classrooms to maintain a certain distance between students.
It should be noted that even if students and teachers are vaccinated against Covid 19, the risk of contamination is still present.
