I once again welcome years 8 to 13 students back to classes. It is a very critical time for years 12 and 13 as they will be sitting for their exams.
For years 8 to 11, this term is the final term for academic year 2021 and it is vital that students complete their work before they start the new academic year 2022 in April.
We all have been going through trying times due to the COVID -19 pandemic. The different variants of the virus have exposed us all with challenges that we had never faced before. Despite that we have endured and showed resilience by closely following the frequent and timely advisories from the Ministry of Health and Medical Services and our partners WHO and UNICEF.
Government’s well strategised plan for vaccination and Fiji achieving around 93 % full vaccination was the best option for addressing the challenges.
Prioritising education after substantial loss of hours of face to face learning is crucial, more than ever before.
Invigorating the interest of our children on the importance of learning and resuming face to face classes can no longer be kept in abeyance or deferred. Countries world over have encouraged their students to return to classes amidst observance of clearly defined COVID Safety Protocols. We have done so as well.
I have visited a number of schools in the country over the past one month and am impressed to see the high level of preparedness by heads of schools, teachers and the school management and the eagerness of teachers to welcome students back to classes.
As schools reopen, teachers and other school staff can play a key role in protecting and supporting their students. Teachers and other ancillary staff are the first contact for children outside of their family after months of home confinement, allowing children to report if they are not feeling well.
I am delighted to see our school family back together, however we must not lose sight of the fact that Covid-19 is still very much in our midst, numbers of cases are still detected on a daily basis and this is likely to continue. Therefore, we all need to do what we can to keep our students safe at school.
Between home and school, students will inevitably get in contact of others such as the travelling public, bus drivers, public service vehicle workers, and shop and office workers. It is incumbent upon every individual to exercise caution and adhere to all COVID safe measures. Laxity by anyone (including students and parents) can present a risk to the students.
As citizens, let us take a collective responsibility to ensure that through our own actions we don’t endanger the health and safety of others, in particular our children.
If you, your child, or anyone in the household develops any symptoms it is vitally important that the child stays home until all clear.
For years 12 and 13 students. I wish them the very best and encourage all of them to do the examination as your future higher education goals are dependent on this.
For ECE up to year 7, I will be announcing the dates of reopening of classes in due course.