Education Explores Summer School Options

The Education Department has decided not to extend the school year beyond 8 July, in light of the effectiveness of its lost-time strategies following Hurricane Ivan. Instead, for students who may need additional support, the Education recovery team is exploring options for summer school programmes at both the primary and secondary levels.

This decision comes in the final phases of rebuilding for most government schools, when the department is making every effort to ensure that students experience minimal disruption, and in the context of the continuing drive to make up as much as possible the time lost over the past few months.

Education officials said that its decision was based on the positive progress the vast majority of students have made. They also took into consideration the concern about the impact a longer school year would have on the morale and wellbeing of teachers, many of whom still endure difficult personal circumstances. Officials indicated that, if summer school sessions are introduced, participation by Government teachers would not be mandatory and they would undertake open recruitment where necessary.

As part of the ongoing measures to make up for lost curriculum time, an enrichment programme is currently being finalised for Year-10 John Gray High School (JGHS) students and will begin over the next few weeks. These pupils are still currently at an alternative site, until repairs at the school can be completed. As only half the year group can be accommodated at one time, the students attend every other day.

The enrichment programme, which students will undertake when not in school, will include a work-shadowing option, and will help to develop essential skills and a sound foundation for the options and career choices that students will soon face. It will be part of ASDAN (Award Scheme Development and Accreditation Network) and can lead to an internationally recognised certificate.

In January, the start of the school day changed to 8:00am, another measure to make up for lost curriculum time. Other initiatives included a reduction in the national school calendar, taking out non-essential items.

The curriculum has also been reviewed to identify core learning objectives and opportunities for maximizing learning time. Principals and teachers have been reminded through various inputs, including the contributions of psychologist Dr. Jerome Brodlie, that it is important to continue to provide children with a balanced curriculum. It is being emphasised that the arts and other practical and creative subjects take on even greater importance as key therapeutic outlets in the current circumstances.

In the meantime, with JGHS repairs back on track, it is estimated that Year-10 students will be able to return to the school on a full-time basis by the end of next month.