Saint Lucia's Department of Education, Innovation & Gender Relations position on Virtual Learning: Embracing the Change

1. DEPARTMENT OF
EDUCATION, INNOVATION
AND GENDER RELATIONS
Virtual Learning: Embracing the Change
14th April 2020

2. THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC HAS RESULTED IN CHANGES
TO OUR EDUCATION LANDSCAPE
Classes in the physical setting were suspended from 16th March 2020
IMPLICATIONS
OF THAT
ACTION
• The school term ended abruptly.
• Not all content in the 2nd term curricula was covered.
• Institutions were ill-equipped and inadequately prepared to engage
students remotely or virtually during the two weeks leading up to the
Easter break.
• Not all students could access information being sent to them.
• Vulnerable students, especially those with special needs and those
on the school feeding program, were even further impacted.
• Impact on local and regional examinations.

3. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION’S RESPONSE TO
MINIMIZING DISRUPTION TO TEACHING AND LEARNING
Dialogue Consultations Engagement Partnerships
INTERVENTIONS
Dialogue Consultations Stakeholder
Engagements
Partnerships/
Collaborations
Digicel Saint Lucia Saint Lucia
Teachers’ Union
Caribbean
Examination
Council
OECS
Commission
UNICEF
FLOW National Principal’s
Associations
OECS
Commission
Digicel Saint
Lucia
National Tele-
communications
Regulatory
Commission
National Youth
Council
District Education
Officers
Curriculum
Officers
Sir Arthur Lewis
Community
College

4. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION’S DECISIONS
3rd TERM
DECISIONS
Ensuring Access to Education
1. 3rd term formal instruction commences on 20th April 2020.
2. Interventions for the Early Childhood sector are being reviewed.
3. Minimum Standards Tests (MST) for Grades 2 & 4 have been cancelled.
4. The Common Entrance Examinations has been rescheduled.
 It will be administered at a time when the Ministry of Health has
deemed it safe to do so.
 Sufficient time will be provided to allow teachers and students to
prepare academically and psychologically.
 The examination will comprise of solely the multiple choice component.
5. Details relating to CSEC and CAPE are still being discussed between
CXC and regional governments.

5. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION DECISIONS
3rd TERM
DECISIONS
Cont’d
Ensuring Access to Education
5. Google Classrooms is the virtual platform to be used to engage
students at the Secondary School level.
 This will be augmented by the use of Edmodo, Learning Hubs and other
approved sites.
 All students at that level must use the email addresses created by the school.
6. At the Primary School level, a multifaceted approach will be undertaken.
No new concepts will be taught.
 Teaching will comprise the use of Text books and activity sheets.
 This will be augmented by radia, tele-tutorials, select learning hubs and other
approved sites.
 Parents are encouraged to create email addresses through which they
and the students can be contacted by teachers.
7. Teachers will communicate on the safe process for pick up and drop off
of textbooks and activity sheets.

6. CHALLENGES TO BE OVERCOME
CHALLENGES
Collaboration is Key
1. Developing capacity within the teaching population to provide
instruction remotely and virtually.
 There is need to train, re-train, up-skill and re-tool to allow school
administrators and teachers to operate within a virtual space.
2. A need for devices and access to online platforms by both teachers
and students.

7. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION ACTIONS
ACTIONS
TO BE
TAKEN
Ensuring Access to Education
WEEK COMMENCING 14TH APRIL 2020:
1. Principals to meet with staff to plan the operationalization of instruction to students.
 Plan to be shared with District Education Officers and Chief Education Officer
2. Teachers to undergo training in the use of the approved virtual platforms.
3. Teachers to commence outreach to students. A register of those who do not respond
should be maintained. This will allow for a more targeted intervention.
4. Questionnaires sent out to teaching staff to be completed.

8. HOW CAN YOU MAKE A DIFFERENCE
OUR
APPEAL
Play Your Part
1. Parents, do ensure that your child/ward activates the email address
created by their schools.
2. Please play an active role by ensuring that your child/ward receives and
completes all tasks assigned by the teacher.
3. Read with and engage your child in fun activities at home.

9. OUR COMMITTMENT
WE ARE
COMMITTED
WE CARE
1. Ensuring that teaching and learning is not greatly disrupted.
2. Making certain that no child is left behind.
3. Facilitating a process that supports virtual and remote student-
teacher engagement/interaction.
4. Implementing strategic interventions that will allow for the
distribution of devices and mifis to teachers and students.
5. Our Special Education Unit will work collaboratively with the
various institutions to ensure that our differently-abled students
are not further disadvantaged.
6. Ensuring that our students on the school feeding program
continue to get nutritional support.

10. QUERIES?
CONTACT US
Let Us Hear From You
Info@education.gov.lc