Guidelines for the reopening of schools: Phase 4 - April 1st, 2022
Date
2022-04-01
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Volume Title
Publisher
Ministry of Education, Trinidad and Tobago
Abstract
This document was developed for academic year 2021/22 in anticipation that all students will eventually, using a phased approach, return safely to the physical classroom. Term II of the academic year 2021/22 saw the successful implementation of Phase 3 with the physical return to school of all students of Forms 1 to 6, all students of Special Schools and all students of Standard 5. A rotation model was used at the secondary level. Approval has now been granted for Phase 4, which involves the physical return to school of all students of public and private schools at the ECCE, primary and secondary levels. The measures instituted by the Government of Trinidad and Tobago, beginning in March 2020, to curb the impact of the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, including the vaccination drive which commenced on February 17, 2021, signalled a hopeful start for the safe return of our students to the physical classroom. All staff employed at schools and students above the age of 12 are part of this vaccination drive. Regardless of vaccination status sustained, strict adherence to existing COVID-19 protocols is required to ensure that the physical reopening process is “seamless, minimally disruptive, consistent with overall COVID-19 mitigation measures, reflective of the divergent needs and concerns of all stakeholders, and ultimately enhances the teaching and learning process.” The COVID-19 pandemic has created a ‘New Normal’ to which schools must conform. As schools across the globe gradually reopen, the practices to conform to the ‘New Normal’ are varied based on the dynamics that exist in various countries, and advice issued from global medical Associations and Institutions. These Guidelines are based on the multi-layered approach recommended by regional and international bodies and health organizations on the adoption of school health and safety reopening protocols during the pandemic. These include: • CARICOM’s Framework for Reopening of Schools in the Caribbean • American Academy of Paediatricians’ (AAP) COVID-19 Guidelines for Safe Schools • UNICEF’s Guidelines for Safe and Healthy Journeys to School During the COVID-19 Pandemic • Center for Disease Control (CDC) Science Brief-Transmission of SARS-CV-2 in K-12 Schools • World Health Organization (WHO) - Coronavirus disease (COVID-19): Schools
Description
Table of Contents
Keywords
school guidelines, school reopening, primary school, secondary school, COVID-19, pandemic