Phase two of print package distribution starts in Region One

— Matarkai secondary schools to benefit—

—distribution at Moruca schools complete—

This week is the beginning of the print package distribution for secondary schools in the Matarkai, sub-region of Barima-Waini (Region One).

The Education Ministry has been providing printed materials to learners in the hinterland and riverine communities, as part of a comprehensive plan to minimise learning losses during the COVID-19 pandemic.

District Education Officer, Mr. Marti De Souza, told DPI via telephone on Monday, that the process has been ongoing in phases for primary and secondary schools.

“In Region One, we have three sub-regions, and in the Moruca sub-region the distribution has already been completed,” Mr. De Souza said.

Next is, “Matarkai, which [we] will be distributing to this week,” he said, adding that the materials have already arrived from Georgetown.

In addition to the secondary school students slated to benefit in this second phase, some students at the primary level will also receive learning materials.

The third sub-region, Mabaruma, is also set to receive packages, in addition to materials previously distributed by the Ministry at the primary level.

Following the distribution, education delivery is not expected to remain static, as a return and redistribution system has been set up, with COVID-19 protocols in mind.

“All schools have set up a drop box so that when the materials come back, the parents don’t have to meet with anybody in particular, [and] there are boxes by grades,” he said.

At Moruca, Mr. De Souza reported that the system has been working well.

“Those materials have been coming in back, the teachers are marking [and] they’re returning to the children where necessary,” the Education Officer said.

Students in Region One are also being engaged with electronic gadgets, as the Region’s Department of Education budgeted and began distribution of tablets for students in September.