Minister of Education Priya Manickchand on Wednesday announced that the ministry is looking to reopen schools fully for all levels of students in Guyana.
This means there will be no rotations and no online engagement being facilitated at the nursery, primary or secondary levels.
News Update on Thursday spoke to parents as well as citizens on and off camera who expressed their views on the ministry’s intention to fully reopen schools. One person said, “I think it’s time, the pandemic has really taken a toll on the country and worldwide, but the children need to go back to school.”
A concerned grandparent said her grandchildren have been dropping in their performances and it is about time that the schools return to normalcy. “I think all the schools should reopen, that’s my view,” she said. One parent told News Update that the schools should reopen. “I think if COVID-19 cases are decreasing, I think they need to go back to school.” However, one person said the ministry should ensure that there are precautionary measures in place so that the children can be safe during the COVID-19 pandemic. "Once everything in place so at least the children can be safe, I think it’s a good decision," he said.
Few persons were not in favour of the ministry’s intention noting that the coronavirus pandemic is still ongoing.
Covid-19 hit the shores of Guyana back in March 2020 and ever since, schools have not been functioning normally, which has resulted in a learning loss.
Minister Manickchand said this move will allow the education sector to better address the issue of learning loss.
She also said that means all Guyanese will have to act responsibly as it relates to COVID-19 since it is still present in Guyana.
