Despite early opposition from the Jamaica Teachers’ Association (JTA), the education ministry has advised that the National Summer School Programme begins online as scheduled today (July 5) with face-to-face classes slated to get under way tomorrow.

In a press release dated July 4, the ministry indicated that the decision to begin the face-to-face component on Tuesday is to allow administrators time to ensure that the schools are in a proper state to accommodate students given the heavy rains associated with Tropical Storm Elsa, which affected the island over the weekend.

As it relates to students set to sit Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate and Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examinations, who may be facing hardships because of the weather conditions, the ministry has advised that these persons refer to the Overseas Examinations Commission’s guidelines for Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) candidates.

Where poor weather prevents students from accessing their examination centres, the CXC has in place a set of “out of centre” protocols to allow students to write examinations at the nearest centre.
 
If a student is unable to reach any of the centres because of extensive flooding or being marooned, a report is to be made by the school to the Overseas Examinations Commission with the necessary justification and supporting evidence.

This will allow CXC to apply the “assessed grade facility” to arrive at a final grade.
 
In the meantime, the Ministry of Education, Youth and Information is extending well wishes to all students as they continue to show resilience in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic.