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MoE ends school year early

GeneralMoE ends school year early

BELIZE CITY, Thurs. June 10, 2021- After making an abrupt announcement that there would be a phased return to classroom learning a little over two months ago, the Ministry of Education has indicated in a memo dated June 9, 2021, that it will be ending this school year’s face-to-face classroom sessions a little earlier than had been scheduled. The Education Ministry (which apparently has been monitoring the emergence of COVID-19 cases at a few local schools) explained in its memo that out of an abundance of caution, and in light of the low levels of vaccination seen amongst teachers, they have decided to end classes on Friday, June 18, for all pre-primary, primary, secondary schools and also ITVETS countrywide.

The memo states, “The option for testing every teacher before returning to the classroom is not feasible at this time because of the large number of teachers, the waiting time for the test results if PCR tests are needed, and the uncertainty of which teachers have already been exposed when there are only three weeks remaining for the academic year. The MoHW will, however, continue to visit schools to carry out random testing and to offer vaccination for teachers at each institution as a part of their efforts to combat the number of COVID-19 cases.”

Since the start of the resumption of face-to-face schooling, the country has seen the emergence of Covid-19 infections at a number of schools, mainly primary-level institutions. Recently, the index case for a COVID-19 cluster in Santa Cruz was discovered to be someone on school staff. Reports are that the principal and students at that Santa Cruz school have been infected.

The Ministry of Health and Wellness continues to urge teachers to begin the inoculation process. So far, 352 schools have been approved for reopening under strict protocols. While no vaccine is available for students under the age of 18 at this time, teachers were amongst the first priority groups in the country to be declared eligible to receive a vaccine.
Despite the early closure of schools, the Ministry of Education is attempting to ensure a smooth educational transition for students. Primary school teachers have thus been asked to develop special assistance programs for students who do not meet some requirements for promotion to a higher class. Secondary schools are left to make promotion and graduation decisions based on their academic policies.

“Therefore, the Ministry is appealing to Managing Authorities of all schools to be reasonable and compassionate, to adjust school policies and practices as necessary to afford the students every opportunity to be promoted, and to provide the necessary support in the new school year to address weaknesses,” the Ministry of Education’s release stated
Graduations will be allowed to continue under the current protocols.

The MOE noted that its decisions were guided by public health experts in an effort to reduce the spread of Covid-19 within the country.

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