Region One schools record good turnout

-parents pleased with COVID-19 measures

With schools reopening for students in Grades 10, 11 and 12 last week, the Barima-Waini (Region One) recorded an overall turnout of 50 per cent of teachers and 40 per cent of students.

In an interview with DPI, Regional Chairman, Mr. Brentnol Ashley said the North West Secondary School, Port Kaituma Secondary School, Santa Rosa Secondary School and Matthews Ridge Primary Top opened on schedule. However, the Waramuri Primary Top opened on Monday as that community had been under close monitoring for COVID-19.

The turnout recorded is significant for the Region given the challenges it faced. Kwebanna, in the Moruca sub-district, was locked down for several weeks following a spike in COVID-19 cases. Positive cases were also found in nearby Manawarin and Waramuri, forcing restrictions on those communities as the Ministry of Health fought to monitor patients, curb transmission and ramp up sanitation efforts.

While these efforts have proven successful, resulting in the reduction of active cases in the communities and the lifting of the lockdown from Kwebanna, some families are still struggling to move forward. 

Although distance has always proven a bugbear in getting students to schools, this was now compounded by a lack of finances. As such, when the Ministry of Education announced schools’ reopening, parents and teachers were relieved that it had put COVID-19 preventative measures in place to protect students. They also welcomed the distribution of care packages, which included sanitisers, vitamins, masks and face shields.

With those provisions in place, most parents sent their children back to school, Mr. Ashley said.  However, being cognisant of the challenges some families are experiencing, where practicable, the Region will lend assistance to ensure these students have access to education.

Mr. Ashley also gave assurances that the necessary protocols remain in place for students who test positive for COVID-19, especially those residing in the dormitories. Before schools reopened, two students from North West Secondary and Port Kaituma Secondary dormitories tested positive for the disease.  The students have since been isolated and are being monitored by the health officials.

The decision to reopen schools for senior and technical and vocational education training students was taken to facilitate completion of the requisite curricula for exams. The Education Ministry continues to assess the situation to ensure the safety of students.