Minister of Education on Covid measures

[pugboy]

that was her portfolio, yuh forget she got rid of common entrance and all the stress that exam used to give chirren and parents

This entire situation gonna have all kinda bachannal in it....tanty kams would jump out sheself just now

Tell tanty kamla cool sheself . Now is not she turn to teef .

[Duane 3NE 2NR]

Was there any update from Ministry of Education after the Cabinet meeting today?
I missed parts of the post-cabinet briefing.

[K74T]

No update

[Duane 3NE 2NR]

No update

ok thanks

[VII]

And SEA doesn't? Lol you had any kids do SEA? Were you being sarcastic btw?

that was her portfolio, yuh forget she got rid of common entrance and all the stress that exam used to give chirren and parents

This entire situation gonna have all kinda bachannal in it....tanty kams would jump out sheself just now

Tell tanty kamla cool sheself . Now is not she turn to teef .

[pugboy]

lol, you is a smart fella

And SEA doesn't? Lol you had any kids do SEA? Were you being sarcastic btw?

that was her portfolio, yuh forget she got rid of common entrance and all the stress that exam used to give chirren and parents

This entire situation gonna have all kinda bachannal in it....tanty kams would jump out sheself just now

Tell tanty kamla cool sheself . Now is not she turn to teef .

[Redman]

We need a sarcastic emoji.

I spoke with the co that has managed my sons school move to online delivery-He said that the MOE was advised to go the G Suite route- but indicated that they had something in place since 2018 and that the wanted to retail more control of the platform.Apparently the MOE doesnt want to pay for the G Suite....He also went on to say that the MOE platform has security issues.

The MOE should allow the individual schools to set up with G Suite independently -its free to single schools and then just manage the delivery of the content.

IMHO they ballzing this up at the getgo

[adnj]

We need a sarcastic emoji.

I spoke with the co that has managed my sons school move to online delivery-He said that the MOE was advised to go the G Suite route- but indicated that they had something in place since 2018 and that the wanted to retail more control of the platform.Apparently the MOE doesnt want to pay for the G Suite....He also went on to say that the MOE platform has security issues.

The MOE should allow the individual schools to set up with G Suite independently -its free to single schools and then just manage the delivery of the content.

IMHO they ballzing this up at the getgo

You also need classroom management software. You can run classes and tutoring with most audio, chat and screen sharing apps, or even just a phone call. The headache in distance learning is tracking assignments, grades, feedback, discussion, and learner participation; and having it all easily accessible to students, parents, teachers, and administrators.

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What is Classroom Management Software?

Classroom Management software creates, manages and assesses class lesson plans and school curriculums for primary and secondary public or private schools.

Related Software Categories:

Gradebook Software

School Administration Software

Course Authoring Software

Virtual Classroom Software





[URL]https://www.softwareadvice.com/lms/edmodo-profile/vs/talentlms/
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[URL]https://www.capterra.com/classroom-management-software/
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[Duane 3NE 2NR]

Some schools are using PowerSchool and Edmodo to track grades, attendance, assignments etc.

Google Classroom is also already used by a number of secondary schools

[Duane 3NE 2NR]

PM says no date yet for SEA

[VII]

My last son's school called this morning offering online lessons for $2500 to cover the term..he's in std 4..

Hearing a lot of parents saying they getting that free already from GOVT sources and they dont wanna hear about that..

They looking for that cash-flow..

Hmmm ??????

[Dizzy28]

My last son's school called this morning offering online lessons for $2500 to cover the term..he's in std 4..

Hearing a lot of parents saying they getting that free already from GOVT sources and they dont wanna hear about that..

They looking for that cash-flow..

Hmmm ??????

My son is in pre-school. They haven't yet communicated on the issue of no school for the next term. TBH at that level there isn't really much they gonna offer online you can't already find for free. A lot of what made the pre-school experience what it is cannot be replicated at home i.e. interactions with other children, the playground, swimming, gymnastics etc.

However I am also of the opinion that the school will rack up expenses whilst not open and would need some level of income but it can not be at the full fees. A middle ground needs to be found.

This is contrary to the approach Specialist Learning Centre took where they have already stated they want full fees to run the online classes but this eliminates critical factors such as someone at home monitoring the child (if both parents are essential workers this becomes hard) etc.

[VII]

Yep..

The regular fee is $4,000 a term so the $2500 is probably their idea of middle ground..

My last son's school called this morning offering online lessons for $2500 to cover the term..he's in std 4..

Hearing a lot of parents saying they getting that free already from GOVT sources and they dont wanna hear about that..

They looking for that cash-flow..

Hmmm ??????

My son is in pre-school. They haven't yet communicated on the issue of no school for the next term. TBH at that level there isn't really much they gonna offer online you can't already find for free. A lot of what made the pre-school experience what it is cannot be replicated at home i.e. interactions with other children, the playground, swimming, gymnastics etc.

However I am also of the opinion that the school will rack up expenses whilst not open and would need some level of income but it can not be at the full fees. A middle ground needs to be found.

This is contrary to the approach Specialist Learning Centre took where they have already stated they want full fees to run the online classes but this eliminates critical factors such as someone at home monitoring the child (if both parents are essential workers this becomes hard) etc.

[adnj]

Denmark's return to school gives glimpse of what classrooms will look like post-lockdown



 BO AMSTRUP/AFP/Ritzau Scanpix

Teacher Rebekka Hjorth has a music lesson with her class outdoors at the Korshoejskolen public school in Randers, Denmark, on April 15.

This week, as younger children across Denmark walked onto school grounds, school bags on their backs and holding parents by the hand, things seemed almost normal. Almost.

Jimmy Skov Glasdam Adetunji, head of secondary education at the Hendriksholm School in Rodovre, just outside Copenhagen, spent Wednesday going through classrooms with a measuring stick to ensure the 440 students could be seated at least two meters (six feet) apart when they arrived on Thursday.

He had split the schoolyard into six sections with red and white barrier tape, and sent a detailed diagram to parents outlining staggered arrival times, routes, breaks and lunch times.

"I can't wait to see the kids again," Adetunji said. "But we will obviously have to talk about the pandemic and the rules and why our playground is now marked by police tape. So, it's going to be a contrast between fun and seriousness."

A few miles away, in Bronshoj, Philip Mundt was dropping his six-year old son Emil for his first day back. "He is so excited," Philip said, laughing. "All the way here, he's been talking about how he's going to see his friends and that this is the best day of his life. He is really looking forward to this."

Schools across Denmark raised flags in celebration as they welcomed back younger students this week, with an excitement comparable to a first day of school. And it is the first day of school in over a month, after Denmark announced widespread closures on March 11 to contain the spread of the coronavirus. The country was among the first in Europe to close borders, shops, schools and restaurants, and to ban large gatherings, among other measures. Now, it is one of the first to begin reopening.

The country has seen a continued drop in hospital admissions. More than 500 people were hospitalized with the coronavirus during March but, by mid-April, the number hospitalized had dropped to 353 -- unlike the explosive rise seen in some other countries. As of April 16, 321 people had died, according to Denmark's infectious diseases agency, the Statens Serum Institute.

"What we did right was that we closed down society very early in the epidemic and very efficiently," said Allan Randrup Thomsen, professor of experimental virology at the University of Copenhagen. "So I do think there is room at this stage of the epidemic to open up some parts of society."

The gradual reopening of Denmark was announced by Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen earlier this month, along with a decision to let the younger students through fifth grade, or approximately age 12, be part of phase one. Their schools must ensure new hygiene and distancing measures, however, to protect students and staff. 

Government regulations now require Adetunji to make sure the children are split into smaller groups, can wash their hands immediately upon arrival and at least every two hours, and that contact surfaces like sinks, toilet seats and door handles are disinfected twice daily, among other things, before he can open the school. 

Schools are also printing maps that mark entrance and exit routes and ensuring children remain outside as much as possible.

This is the reality of life under the pandemic -- and one even the children seem prepared for. Ask any one of them and they are likely to promptly recite you the rules about hand washing, keeping their distance, not sharing food and not getting too close to each other in the playground.

But Thomsen acknowledges that risk remains.

"(Students are) a relatively large group of people -- about 10% of the Danish population -- and one that is difficult to control in terms of social behavior and hygienic precautions," he said. "The institutions have done a lot to reduce risk but whether that will work is something we will probably see in the next two weeks or so."

[URL]https://www.cnn.com/2020/04/17/europe/denmark-coronavirus-first-school-intl/index.html
[/URL]

[abducted]

Well I see one private school has responded. Specialist has said all fees have to be paid in full for the online classes they gonna offer.

Devant has posted the letter from Chote to parents on his page

Interesting..........I await to see what the response from private schools will be.

FB_IMG_1586998153988.jpegFB_IMG_1586998148728.jpeg

Sent from my MI 9 using TriniTuner mobile app

Private school set to reopen

Parents of children who attend a private school in east Trinidad are upset over a letter sent by the principal that says classes will resume on April 20 and that relevant school fees are now applicable, although other schools nationwide remain physically closed.

They say measures outlined in the letter were taken without consultation with parents.

In the letter, dated April 14, the principal said all students would be promoted on April 20. She said teachers would begin to teach their current classes next term’s work, so the compression of three terms’ work into two terms, as suggested by the Education Minister, would not happen.
She said teachers are expected to be in a classroom environment and suitably dressed. Classes would begin at 9 am and children would be given their breaks and lunch period.

The letter also said certain parts of the syllabus in science, agricultural science and social studies would be deleted, as the principal found they had no relevance to primary-school-level students, a decision which was taken before the onset of covid19.

It said the time gained would be used to work on comprehension skills, reading and problem-solving. For students studying for the SEA, the principal told parents that review of test papers and tests would continue so their child would be adequately prepared for the exam.

The parents were told they would have to pay the school fees, which range from $4,200 to $4,600, by May 1. Otherwise, the letter warned, the administration would assume the child/children are no longer students of the school.

A concerned father, speaking anonymously for fear of backlash, said no parent was consulted to find out if they had the equipment for their children to participate in online classes.

He said he would have to buy a new device for his child, which was an extra strain on his finances.

He expressed concern about how the children would be supervised, especially in households where there was more than one child, or if one or both parents are essential workers. He said getting small children to focus on devices for long periods is problematic.

He also wondered how one teacher would be able to control and supervise many children learning on devices all at once.

The parent also queried the principal’s decision to discontinue part of the curriculum.

He asked whether it was legal for a private school to be taking such measures, since the Minister of Education had said schools would most likely remain shut until September.
The father said he is worried about having to line up to deposit school fees at the bank, as using online banking might result in their being paid late. He said there has been a lack of compassion in the way this issue had been handled, especially since many families are worried about finances at present.

https://newsday.co.tt/2020/04/18/privat ... -to-reopen

[Dizzy28]

Chote all about that $$

[88sins]

Apparently it'd be safe to believe that the principal/school owner is a money satan, don't care about the parents or the children, just want that $$$

[VII]

Private schools and churches are all about the bottom line..they're just businesses offering services..

Apparently it'd be safe to believe that the principal/school owner is a money satan, don't care about the parents or the children, just want that $$$

[Duane 3NE 2NR]

Well to be fair to private schools in general, they too have bills to pay that the Ministry of Education cannot help them with.
They have teacher and staff salaries to pay and they will also have to pay for equipment and new software licenses to run these new e-learning courses.

[Dizzy28]

But they can't take a unilateral decision on how to proceed. There must be consultations with the critical stakeholders that are parents.

Well to be fair to private schools in general, they too have bills to pay that the Ministry of Education cannot help them with.
They have teacher and staff salaries to pay and they will also have to pay for equipment and new software licenses to run these new e-learning courses.

[adnj]

But they can't take a unilateral decision on how to proceed. There must be consultations with the critical stakeholders that are parents.

Well to be fair to private schools in general, they too have bills to pay that the Ministry of Education cannot help them with.
They have teacher and staff salaries to pay and they will also have to pay for equipment and new software licenses to run these new e-learning courses.

Apparently they can make that decision and did just that. Why the school made the decision is something that the parents would have to discuss with the school immediately.

If the classes are online, I do not see a reason why the Ministry of Education would have a reason to protest. Students are getting coursework and assignments all over the country. Regarding the curriculum changes, that could be a point of contention.

If the parent is unhappy with the result, I don't see any recourse other than to enroll the student in a different school. It may seem unfair but that appears to be the reality.

[Dizzy28]

My son's pre school just emailed with a proposal. 55% of the term fees and it doesn't seem they hard and fast as yet as they asking for comments and feedback on this initial mail.

[adnj]

My son's pre school just emailed with a proposal. 55% of the term fees and it doesn't seem they hard and fast as yet as they asking for comments and feedback on this initial mail.

I am not sure if you are implying that the school is opening for classroom attendance or not.

I have to assume that if the school is offering distance learning, it's for older students. There's not much going on in preschool that goes beyond socialization skills and a healthy dose of Sesame Street.

[Dizzy28]

At home delivery of content.

And yea I agree unlike primary school the benefit of online activities will be limited for 4 year olds

Missing a term of whatever they deliver online wouldn't make or break my son.

My son's pre school just emailed with a proposal. 55% of the term fees and it doesn't seem they hard and fast as yet as they asking for comments and feedback on this initial mail.

I am not sure if you are implying that the school is opening for classroom attendance or not.

I have to assume that if the school is offering distance learning, it's for older students. There's not much going on in preschool that goes beyond socialization skills and a healthy dose of Sesame Street.

[Ben_spanna]

All that would need to happen is someone would need to report that private school to the correct authorities and they will be forced to stay closed.. If govt has made it mandatory that ALL schools remain closed , no private institution has any case to defy those orders.

[Duane 3NE 2NR]

All that would need to happen is someone would need to report that private school to the correct authorities and they will be forced to stay closed.. If govt has made it mandatory that ALL schools remain closed , no private institution has any case to defy those orders.

They mean online classes - not physically opening.

[Kenjo]

All that would need to happen is someone would need to report that private school to the correct authorities and they will be forced to stay closed.. If govt has made it mandatory that ALL schools remain closed , no private institution has any case to defy those orders.

They mean online classes - not physically opening.

I was trying to figure out why people beating up about this all along

[SR]

Specialist has always been very forward thinking with regards to education as opposed to government run schools.

[Duane 3NE 2NR]

Letter from the National Parent Teachers Association

[X_Factor]

Apart from this present situation where they are trying the online classes

What other way/s prior to this have they been forward thinking?

Specialist has always been very forward thinking with regards to education as opposed to government run schools.