The new protocols come into effect on Monday 18th. They have been approved by the High Level Committee and the Ministry of Health, the Minister of Education, Leela Devi Dookun Luchoomun has announced on 7th October that the reduction in school days will be maintained, but has reviewed the number of days of self-isolation for students who have been in contact with a positive case, as well as the fate of the entire class.
Under strict monitoring
“In principle, the whole class should not be asked to self-isolate”, the protocol states. The class should therefore be disinfected and reopened the next day. But for unvaccinated students who have been in direct contact with a positive case, self-isolation will be for 14 days, and 7 days for fully vaccinated students. Other changes include the wearing of masks at all times, except for kindergarten children. There will also be the resumption of physical education classes and sports activities and the morning assembly, always in compliance with health standards and distancing. The functioning of the canteens will also be supervised and the recreation times will remain in ‘batches’. With this second part of the second term, the ministry will set up a psychological support cell for pupils in difficulty.
A new timetable this Friday 15
Both private and government schools will have three to four days of classes per week. Those in grades 1 and 2 will attend classes on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. Grades 3 and 4 will attend on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. For grades 5 and 6 four days of face-to-face attendance on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday. 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. Please note that since those in grades 10 to 13 are in the process of vaccination, there will be no staggered classing.
However, there will be no change in the pre-primary and Special Educational Needs schools, which generally have a 15-pupil intake, but which could be staggered if this number is exceeded.
Currently, the rectors and teaching staff are busy as they have until Friday, 15 October 2021 to design a new Timetable for the pupils who return to school on Monday,18 October and which will be in force until 17 December.
