Education Minister Rosy Akbar has confirmed that a total of 13,364 teachers are today back in school after three months to prepare for the return of Year 12 and 13 students tomorrow.
Schools closed on 20 March 2020 immediately after the first COVID-19 case was identified in Fiji.
Akbar says some of the rural, remote and maritime teachers have returned to their duty stations over the weekend and some may still be making their way back due to the transportation schedule.
She has thanked all the hard-working teachers who have worked from home and remotely in the last three months to provide education to all the children of Fiji.
Akbar says she knows teachers are aware of the socio-economic impact of COVID-19 on the students and they will provide the much needed psycho-social support to ease heavy emotional burdens the children are carrying on their small shoulders.
The Education Minister says school heads must ensure that all classrooms are well ventilated and all hygiene practices are in place.
She says all schools must ensure that there are enough water tanks to cater for hand washing and hygiene needs of all the students, especially during recess and lunch breaks.
Akbar says large schools that have had water issues in the past must work earnestly towards rectifying it before all students return to school.
She has also stressed to school heads that worksheets were supplementary resources only and teachers should not pressure any student to submit completed worksheets upon their return to school.
Akbar is also strongly reiterating that teachers should not schedule any form of assessment upon the resumption of schools.
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