Reduction in term holidays affected in-service: Principal

REDUCING the school term holiday by two weeks has affected all contract teachers for the second term holiday, Aravure Primary School head teacher Robert Silas says.
“There is no in-service for the teachers this year,” he said.
“Schools have taken only one week term two holiday to make up for the lost academic time during the Covid-19 lockdown earlier this year.
“Because of the one week holiday, teachers will not have their in-service.
“In-service is vital especially during this time because the Government announced to do away with the elementary school system.
“Most elementary school teachers need to be trained to teach in primary schools.
“In-service will help them be well equipped with the skills and knowledge.” Education Minister Jimmy Uguro earlier urged teachers to adhere to the minor changes in the school calendar to ensure better learning outcomes.
“Teachers and students should be proactive, using the holiday to catch up with lessons lost due to the pandemic,” he said.
“The disease is here to stay and we must use this opportunity to rearrange our day-to-day duties to improve our lives,” he said.
He said it was a minor calendar date change but must be effectively implemented by all stakeholders.
Education secretary Dr Uke Kombra said schools should resume normal classes for the third term on July 5.