Hinterland students continue studies during COVID-19

─ Grade 2, 4, and 6 Hinterland students have access to learning material 

DPI, Guyana, Tuesday, April 21, 2020

Hinterland students are also participating in learning during the countrywide school closures brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Technical officers of the education ministry’s crisis management team told the DPI that 8,400 workbooks were distributed to Grades 2, 4 and 6 students in Regions 1, 7, 8, and 9 who do not have internet access.

The workbooks cover the four core areas; Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, and English.

Acknowledging that there is not full internet coverage countrywide the ministry is nevertheless encouraging the continued use of popular online platforms like Moodle, Zoom, Edmodo, and Google Classroom in areas where there is connectivity.

Technical officer Marcia Paddy-Andrews explained that hinterland teachers are also receiving guidance on how to assess the home-schooled students.

One such activity is being administered in Region 7 through radio broadcast.

The measures are part of the ministry’s efforts to continue bridging the gap between hinterland and coastal education.

“Because we have extended the period of closure, we are looking at providing radio and other broadcast measures for places receiving internet access,” she added.

Over 175 hinterland communities have received internet access over the last few years, and this is expected to prove beneficial during this time.

Paddy-Andrews also revealed that parents and teachers have met virtually and continue to address difficulties and strategies to ensure students learn.