School term opening put back to June

School term opening put back to June

The Ministry of Education has decided to postpone the opening of the new school term to June 1 after rising concerns over the latest Covid-19 outbreak.

Education Minister Treenuch Thienthong said yesterday the decision was made at a meeting with the permanent secretary and secretaries-general of the Office of the Basic Education Commission, the Office of the Vocational Education Commission, the Office of the Private Education Commission and the Office of the Non-formal and Information Education.

They were briefed on the Covid-19 situation and discussed the reopening of schools. The meeting resolved to postpone the opening of the first term of the new academic year from May 17 to June 1, on the grounds that coronavirus infections may increase further and that would affect classes and activities. Parents were also worried, she said.

The ministry had prepared guidelines to ensure the delay in reopening would not affect learning opportunities and the rights of students.

Between May 17 and May 31, all schools and teaching personnel were to prepare learning places, management and other related tasks for the new term, and ensure full understanding among parents, Ms Treenuch said.

Teachers may be assigned to visit students at their home and to organise extra learning activities online, she said.

The ministry would continually assess the Covid-19 situation and announcements issued by the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA), because it wants to minimise the impact on students following the delay in the reopening of schools.

Schools on the outskirts of towns only slightly affected by the Covid-19 outbreak may be able to provide normal lessons, the minister said.

"At the moment, admissions for Mathayom Suksa 1 and Mathayom Suksa 4 students at schools across the country have not been completed.

The new term is delayed for just 11 days. During this period, all educational institutes must prepare courses to match the curriculum. The end of the school term remains unchanged, on Oct 11,'' the minister said.

Do you like the content of this article?
COMMENT (1)