GTU urges adherence to COVID guidelines as senior students return to classrooms

The Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Education have been collaborating when it comes to getting students back into the classroom. However, the GTU is reminding that the Departments of Education and Ministry of Education have to ensure that the measures outlined by the Ministry of Health are in place and adhered to.

GTU urges adherence to COVID guidelines as senior students return to classrooms

The Guyana Teachers Union (GTU) is reminding that the precautions outlined by the Ministry of Health should be followed by all and in particular those involved in in-person learning.

General Secretary of the GTU Coretta McDonald said there needs to be more action instead of talk.

The Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Education have been collaborating when it comes to getting students back into the classroom. However, the GTU is reminding that the Departments of Education and Ministry of Education have to ensure that the measures outlined by the Ministry of Health are in place and adhered to.

This comes as several dorm students returning to school were tested positive for COVID-19. It is unclear how many students may have tested positive on their return. On Tuesday, the Ministry of Education through its Public Relations Officer – said that schools reopened on Monday under those very guidelines   set out when classes resumed for the 2020 -2021 school year last November, for grades 10, 11 and 12 students.

The Teachers’ Union wanted mandatory testing of students returning to schools from far flung areas days prior to them returning. However, the Education Ministry’s Public Relations Officer noted that while the tests are conducted by the Ministry of Health, students living at dorm schools had to be retested before going back to school. He added that, that is just one of the safeguards that are in place that will be followed continuously.  

GTU General Secretary Coretta McDonald

But the GTU General Secretary Coretta Mc Donald noted that as COVID-19 remains a major concern for all, a lot of teachers have submitted themselves for testing especially in those schools where students are returning from remote areas.

The Union wants to see regular sanitization of schools.

Last year a number of teachers and students tested positive for COVID-19 as they returned to the classrooms.

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