There is a need to reconsider whether students should return to school – TISI Sangam

The Chair of TISI Sangam Education Board, Dr Neelesh Gounder says there is a need for the authorities to reconsider whether students should return to school as planned prior to closure due to floods and bad weather, especially for those in primary schools that do not have the protection of COVID-19 vaccines.

Gounder says while TISI Sangam owned schools have implemented the COVID-19 Safe School Reopening Guidelines, there are other considerations that need to be factored such as community transmission and occurrence of community outbreaks, which are beyond the control of school-based prevention strategies.

He says as the third wave tears through communities and households, it is inevitable that we will have teachers and students exposed.

Gounder confirms as of last week, none of TISI Sangam owned five high schools had a student attendance rate above 70%, with one school recording a low of 35%.

He further says teacher shortages were also common and this could be reflected against what has already been indicated by Fiji Teachers Union that more than 500 teachers are in isolation.

Gounder says teachers could be absent due to COVID-19 and schools cannot function if sick teachers and students are unable to return to school.

He says on the other hand, if sick teachers and students return to school, this will risk other students and teachers, and inevitably spread the virus further.

The Chair of TISI Sangam Education Board adds parents have a reason to be concerned.

Gounder says they all want students to return to school safely but if more and more teachers and students have to stay home due to COVID-19 infection or isolation requirements, teaching and learning will not be possible for all students and even supervision of students will become challenging.

TISI Sangam is suggesting to only allow Year 12 and 13 students to continue in-person learning as soon as National Disaster Management Office gives clearance while all other students can return or start at a later date.

We have sent questions to the Minister for Education, Premila Kumar and the Permanent Secretary for Education, Dr. Anjeela Jokhan.