School Attendance Up

January attendance figures for government schools in Grand Cayman indicate that student numbers are now approaching pre-Ivan levels for most schools, with numbers still expected to grow.

While all schools in Cayman Brac have gained additional students, approximately 300 of those who sought refuge there soon after the hurricane have since returned to Grand Cayman.

Chief Education Officer Nyda Flatley said that link officers from the Education Department and the Schools’ Inspectorate have been closely monitoring student enrollment since the hurricane: “We use the data to track student attendance and to inform decisions about staff deployment and ongoing repairs to schools, to ensure we have adequate provision for the numbers enrolled,” she explained.

The Chief Education Officer noted that although, as anticipated, the number of students attending school has continued to increase, there are still some as yet unaccounted for students.

Whilst some parents have informed the department that their children will continue school overseas for the time being or that they have been transferred to private schools, some have not made contact.

Schools and the truancy officer are therefore continuing follow up on students not yet accounted for or who are attending irregularly.

Mrs. Flatley stated that figures are being updated on a bi-weekly basis, as students continue to return or transfer. She expects to be able to publish comprehensive enrollment data in the near future.