Petrina Francis, Education ReporterSTUDENTS AT all levels of the education system will have to play 'catch up' as a result of days missed from school last week, when heavy rains associated with Hurricane Wilma pounded the island for several days.
The Ministry of Education, Youth and Culture issued an advisory on Tuesday, informing all stakeholders in education that all schools should remain closed.
Dorrett Campbell, director of communications at the Ministry of Education, Youth and Culture told The Sunday Gleaner on Friday that her ministry had not got any reports of serious damage to schools.
However, she said there have been reports of flooded schoolyards, leaking roofs and damp classrooms.
Notwithstanding this, the director of communications said most schools would reopen tomorrow.
SHELTERS
Up to Friday afternoon, two public schools were still being used as shelters. According to the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM), the Edith Dalton James High School in St. Andrew was occupied by 15 people while the Toll Gate All-Age School in Clarendon was housing a family of six. These schools however, are expected to reopen tomorrow.
When Hurricane Ivan ripped through the island last year, many schools were extensively damaged, forcing students to stay at home for days. As a result of this, the school term was extended by one week in some cases.
But Ms. Campbell said that there would be no need to extend the school term this year. She explained that up to last Monday, schools were on mid-term holiday and in most cases, students were scheduled to return on Wednesday, so only three days were lost. Teachers and principals she said, will use their discretion and make up the time.
AFFECTING STUDENTS
While admitting that the students who will be sitting the Grade Six Achievement Test and other external examinations next year may be affected as a result of the 'extended holiday', Ruel Reid, president of the Jamaica Teachers' Association said his teachers are flexible and will make up for the lost time.
Despite 'Wilma', the University of the West Indies remained open and thousands of students braved the bad weather and went to classes. Carroll Edwards, public relations officer at the university, explained that the decision to remain open was because the institution had already lost two days since the beginning of the semester. Additionally, she said the university is a regional institution and examinations were scheduled across the three campuses last week, so it would have been problematic to cancel classes.
