The Ministry of Education has set June 29, 2020, as official date for 12th graders to resume classes in preparation for the West African Senior School Certificate Exam, WASSCE.
A calendar released by the Ministry says beginning Monday, June 22 to 26, 2020, orientation and preparation start that would allow appropriate health authorities and school administrations to finally set up safe school requirements, as well as train teachers, support staff, and students on safety measures.
Only 12th graders from a total of 707 senior high schools across the country are being allowed back to school in preparation for the upcoming WASSCE, says the release, which notes that West African Examinations Council members’ countries are in final deliberations on the matter, and thereof, WAEC Liberia shall announce the exact date of the start of the examinations.
However, the tentative period for commencement of WASSCE administration is stated as mid-August 2020.
At the same time the Ministry confirmed that all schools shall operate using the regular school hours to complete the prescribed academic activities for 12th graders. “That all schools should develop a one-shift schedule, to accommodate all students (Morning, Afternoon, and Night shifts) at the same time using multiple classrooms of a minimum number of students in adherence to physical distancing.”
In line with keeping students and school administrators, teachers and support staff safe, the Ministry of Education in collaboration with the Ministry of Health (MoH), the National Public Health Institute of Liberia (NPHIL) and partners have completed “GUIDELINES FOR SAFE SCHOOL ENVIRONMENTS IN THE CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) OUTBREAK IN LIBERIA”, requiring that all schools have necessary safety materials in place.
The government closed down all learning institutions here early March following the index case of the virus, which was imported from Europe.
However, following consensus by West African Examination Council (WAEC) members’ countries, President George Manneh Weah on June 5, 2020, mandated the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Health to put in all mechanism by June 22, to ensure that 12th graders resume classes to adequately prepare for the WASSCE. Press Release
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