‘We have to get our children back in school’– Hon Penn
Hon Penn made the call on the Monday, February 22, 2021, edition of the NDP radio show simulcasted on several radio stations, including ZBVI 780 AM, CBN 90.9 FM, ZCCR 94.1 FM and Tola Radio 100.5 FM.
Hybrid System served its time - Hon Penn
“I think we have to get our children back in school. I believe the hybrid system worked, it worked well in the early stages when we had the issues with COVID. COVID-19 still exists but I think we need to start to get back to a sense of normalcy,” Hon Penn said.
Hybrid Learning
The blended learning approach is one where Minister for Education, Culture, Youth Affairs, Fisheries and Agriculture, Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) said blends online learning with the traditional classroom hours.
Speaking on the December 31, 2020, Fifth Sitting of the Third Session of the Fourth House of Assembly, Dr Wheatley said the blended learning approach would have some contact hours for core subjects like Mathematics and English, in addition to technical subjects.
However, according to the Opposition Leader, the hybrid learning approach is not working for some students and especially not ideal for parents without access to the internet and data.
Data access still a challenge for online learning - Hon Penn
“A lot of our parents can't afford to pay for the data to get their kids on homeschooling, there's a lot of challenges with that system,” he said.
“Where we are currently with kids who are supposed to be in school and distance learning? They are on the streets. At the end of the day, there are a lot of parents who have to go and try to find a way to make ends meet,” he said.
Hon Penn urged the Fahie administration to look at ways to get the classrooms opened to full capacity so that students and youths can return under a comprehensive educational plan.
“I know the minister is trying his best, but the reality is that we now at a stage where we need to start the transition... A lot of young people have fallen between the cracks because of all the variables impacting the homeschooling process," he said.
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25 Responses to “‘We have to get our children back in school’– Hon Penn”
That is ALL ...THANK YOU!!!
If the D£ etc can throw parties without social distancing why aren’t schools opened as yet?
The teachers in this territory (whether it be public or private) are responsible for a portion of your child’s education... your job as “parent” is to educate, socialize, and prepare your child for the world. School is a structure that has been developed to facilitate a nations movement and productivity yes no one will argue that point... however... the onus cannot completely fall on the teachers. I shudder to think that after we give birth to children some people think the hard part is over... as we well know is not the case... when we decide to have children... the preparation and planning , the caring, maintenance, guiding, nurturing, loving, socializing, developing a human being is a hard job and should not be taken on haphazardly. It is a difficult job to parent properly and society has not made it any easier... events like Irma and covid also came to compound our already stretched patience. But your parenting should still hold firm ... society and it’s ills should not impact your parenting/teaching to the point where you give up on your child or children and pawn them off on other people. How many times have we heard the cry/sigh of parents “I dunno wha to do wid he now” “he ain listening to me” etc. what we fail to realize is if we fail to train up a child in the way he should go ... putting discipline on later becomes a hard task... stop trying to be a friend to that which you brought into this world PARENT as you should and the many ills that we do face now will not be as hard a pill to swallow.
As for complaining about not having a full year in school have you made up for that time... too often we trade what is best for our children ... for the almighty dollar work hard and leave them unattended to make a better life for them or ourselves. However the proof is in the pudding. When we sacrifice our children’s time with us for more money. That is exactly what is happening sacrificing the children...
I drifted from the topic
But... the fight for education that you need to launch should be from your own skills and what you have to offer your child... the way society is heading and by what we see from some larger countries ... I don’t think I would want them indoctrinating my children... this is what school has become and in times ahead this is what is going to be used to “educate” your child
If you don’t learn how to educate your child then you my dear are setting them up to fail and be a part of the “follow flock”
Penn is correct