Ministry: Students suffer COVID trauma
(CNS): The education ministry believes schools will have to deal with many students who are traumatized as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic when they return in September. These metal health issues will need to be dealt with before effective learning can take place and gaps the addressed, officials have said. Following a recent critical report by the Office of Education Standards, the ministry has defended its response to the crisis and the sudden closing of the schools.
The impact of the pandemic and the trauma children may face when they return to school will be an important consideration, the ministry said in a statement released last week. “Students and their families have experienced trauma throughout the pandemic, and this needs to be addressed before learning can take place effectively.”
The statement was in response to recommendations made by school inspectors in a report published earlier this month which concluded that efforts at home learning during the coronavirus shutdown had been a poor substitute for school. It criticised the lack of coordination, the quality of teaching, as well as weaknesses and problems with digital learning.
But in response, the ministry listed a catalogue of social and economic challenges that families faced that were exacerbated by the virus. “This pandemic, and its multiple effects on the health, income and well-being of individuals and communities, put a strain on the psychological reserves of all, including students and parents or guardians,” the ministry stated.
Education officials said parents and guardians struggled during the pandemic and had difficulty supporting their children with school work, while also having to work from home or manage a range of other hardships or responsibilities. In some case students also struggled to find quiet places for learning.
“There is a need to balance the educational provision with the understanding of the strains and hardships being experienced by families in this very difficult time. Mental health for students, teachers and family members continues to be a priority area of focus,” they said.
Outlining the efforts it had made to move to home-learning and address some serious inequities that have been exposed, the ministry said some kids were going hungry. As a result teachers and principals were organising the delivery of food to hundreds of children every day.
“The number of students requiring free… school meals increased throughout the pandemic as some parents and guardians were newly unemployed or struggling for other reasons to provide nutritious meals for their families,” the ministry said. “Evidence shows that children’s learning may be significantly impacted if they are hungry, feel insecure or unsafe.”
The education officials also pointed out that setting standards and expectations for home-learning had to be balanced with the hardships being experienced by students, families and staff as a result of the pandemic.
“Several families, including teachers, lost family members overseas, lost jobs, were ill and were struggling with mental health issues,” the ministry said, adding that distance learning can be achieved effectively through a range of means to meet students’ needs. “The goal is to have all students make progress rather than to standardise the way this is done despite the different conditions.”
Given that so many children did not have access to the internet or laptops when the schools were shut down, efforts were made to track down equipment and help where possible with internet connection.
Nevertheless, access to technology was unequal and the ministry said it is seeking to introduce a programme that would provide each student with a digital device and internet access. Request have now been made to Cabinet for consideration of these proposals, officials said.
The ministry said schools will also be focusing on introducing more use of technology in schools and improving teachers’ abilities in that regard, after inspectors found a considerable disparity between their abilities to use technology to teach children.
It defended the mixed platforms used to deliver online classes, stating that there was no time to standardise things. Given that schools were using a range of platforms before the pandemic, continuing to use the different platforms eliminated the need for staff to learn entirely new programmes and save time before they could teach online.
But officials accepted that among the more than 700 education professionals, there were varying degrees of ICT competency, and experts are identifying additional training needs and guidance for the upcoming school year.
While there were some problems with attendance, the ministry said that government schools reported an average student engagement of 90% in some weeks, compared to England, where less than 40% of students engaged in online learning during the first few weeks of the pandemic
But monitoring students who were unaccounted for was reported differently, as in some cases students were not able to access the online classes but were engaging in paper-based home-learning.
The education ministry did not accept responsibility for the inequities that home-learning revealed. Instead it pointed to the socio-economic and mental health issues that have impacted families during the COVID-19 health crisis.
But officials said understanding any gaps in learning will be essential in planning for the upcoming school year and the ministry and Department of Education Services were prepared for that, with guidelines already in place for catch-up provisions.
“Schools have tracked student progress and achievement in order to identify learning gaps and provide responsive instruction. Students will also be assessed upon their return to school at the end of August to determine learning needs and for schools to implement interventions and determined catch-up provision,” the ministry stated. “A careful balance has to be found with assessing students while being mindful of their mental health and wellness as a result of the pandemic.”
Addressing learning loss and securing education will be a priority, officials said, alongside a heightened focus on students’ mental health and well-being when the new academic year begins
“We want our students to come back to a welcoming school environment and ready to learn,” officials said. “We also recognise the trauma they may have experienced as a result of the pandemic, and we need to support them carefully.”
While the ministry outlined some of the strategies developed to tackle the education fallout from the virus, officials have not said if they intend to extend the school days or terms or years.
However, the ministry has confirmed that there will be a phased return of students, physical distancing measures will be in place, along with a shift in when break, lunches and play-times take place to ensure physical distancing.
Safety protocols surrounding personal respiratory hygiene and enhanced cleaning and sanitizing measures will be in effect, as well as new protocols for pick-up and drop-off and school buses.
See the OES report and the ministry’s response in the CNS Library
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Category: Education, Government oversight, Local News, Politics
The education system in Cayman is atrocious. Our kids are at CIS and all they care about is money. It’s all you ever hear about from them. The online learning was a joke, teachers checked out mentally long ago and the school never offered a reduction in fees, despite offering zero value for money. As far as I’m concerned, they’re soulless dogs. I can’t imagine what the public system is like.
The public system was nothing like what you experienced. My child’s teachers were responsive from day 1 and teaching and learning continued. Yes there were days where the school seemed to lack guidance but honestly it wasn’t a great distraction in hindsight.
I really should have said “I’d like to believe it’s all done in good faith”, with good intentions. But the fact that my commentary is skeptical in tone makes me really wonder how well this “report” was prepared and the definitiveness (not necessarily the validity) of its “findings”.
Just read the 30 page doc on back to school: there is a 2 week delay between 1/2 and year 3/4 going back in when the students are expected to keep up the online homeschooling? Sorry? What are parents supposed to do in those 2 weeks? This just doesn’t make any sense at all..
What do you suggest then? Take back all the kids at the same time and cram them in close proximity to each other? Send your child if you cant wait the two additional weeks, but if he/she gets covid dont blame anyone but yourself.
Well, the space inside the school isn’t going to get any bigger in 2 weeks. And the kids are going to get covid at school, but not from everyday life, hanging out with friends, meeting on the beach – all of which are now open season?
Yet another example of complete inconsistency in the relaxation of the regulations. Its ok to go and get your hair done, in direct touch with someone for an extended period, but the DLVD says its too dangerous to turn up there to renew your licence or sit an exam? You can have a party with 25 other people, you can sit 3 ft away from others in a restaurant indoors, but you cant get your mail?
Seems to me has a lot more to do with the civil service struggling to get their mindset around the fact that the Premier has said that its no business more or less as normal within our bubble, or wean themselves off the concept of being paid to stay at home, then its about realistic risk.
The focus is schools and children returning in phases. Under normal circumstances there was always a phased return when the new school year starts, this year it has been extended by a few days. Teachers, support staff, senior staff and admin staff will all be present at school so dont believe that they will be sitting at home doing nothing and collecting a salary. Afterall, they have already been informed to remain in Cayman for the summer and if they leave and cannot make it back in time for school reopening they will lose their pay and be dismissed. Just give the schools the time to test run the return and see how it works so that concerns for issues that pop up can be rectified. I know for sure some parents may not even send their kids and that’s fine. While other parents can’t wait. What is 2 weeks to endure to ensure that school staff are able to manage the high volume of cleaning/sanitation and increased observation of students interaction?
how about they should’ve issued free internet to those family that don’t have and provide laptops for each kid.
some of the school task are already hard enough to work with from a tablet and need a laptop/monitor to do the proper work.
the school system is wack and has been wack
you have subjects that I as a parent never did in my school years and with no sense of knowing how to do it yet the kids come home ask for help because neither they know how to do it properly
teach the basis the fundamentals that they will need stop focusing on so much subjects.
give mertis out on a monthly basis inform the parents if the student is lacking in areas have more communication with parents so they can know what to do and where there child needs more attention
as for children traumatized, from what? , Children want to go back to school and socialize with their peers
also stop making school lunches so expensive, or set up a points system that they can use for future purchases
When your so out of touch with what’s happening that you just make things up. Caymanian youth don’t have a chance unless they go off island for education.
Agreed 7.28
Parents who don’t care and unmotivated children guided by regional teachers means basic schooling, Not Education.
Juju Voodoo!
Not out of touch. Just refusing to accept responsibility for fixing it.
WHAT THE HELL DID I JUST READ !
The headline is correct. But it takes at least some intelligence to understand it.
If JuJu cared about mental health she wouldn’t call for home learning audit. How will she focus on mental health when the inspector is planning to visit schools in the new year?
Should be happy the borders are closed because I don’t know who will last under these conditions.
Ok. I wonder if the discoveries, assessments, evaluations of the situations examined in the “critical report” by the Office of Education Standards was conducted with a scientific and forensic approach. Publishing the existence or likelihood of Covid trauma with confidence should be backed by solid research. The Covid and post-Covid world hasn’t even ully come to grips with the various fall-outs of the virus’ impact, so it would be commendable if our OES has presented a viable document for our needs.
I don’t know the depth of research which has gone into the “critical report” or don’t know any recommendations which may arise therein nor do I know if it could be a hastily prepared study in order to have the issue raised before the new September year, or whether it’s main purpose is to explain the challenges discovered and the measures implemented during the lockdown. I believe it’s all done in good faith.
I am hoping that any official assessments and recommendations on the subject would be based on clinically relevant info and less dramatic revelations without defined measures being examined to address them quickly. Hope the entire public Education system is truly on its toes if it feels it has a potential problem here.
To be fair thats not the Ministers fault. But acknowledging it as an issue, and trying to find solutions, would be refreshing. But just too difficult – and why bother when you can get re elected irrespective of your job performance. When I see her, and Moses, and Mac, and the stuff they come up with, I am reminded of Trump and hos claim – probably true at the time – that he could shoot someone dead in the street and still get re-elected.
Gaps in learning? Lol. Because of circumstance (moved countries), I did attend school at all in grade six, nor was I home schooled during that period. After moving countries once again, I was placed in a grade 7 classroom, not knowing how to speak, read or write in English. Lo and behold, by grade 8 I was an honour student. You want to talk about gaps, those were some serious gaps.
The problem here is societal and structural, a far more serious issue. I don’t mean to denigrate the many good locals of these Islands, but there are some serious societal issues that need to be addressed before one can “fix” education. As for the structural problems, the structural problems start with the Minister, and go down the line to the Ministry, to the Department, etc. Those don’t help much either. A big suggestion, start holding parents and students accountable!
Congratulation on your honor student!
There’re not just serious, but fundamental issues in education! Cayman educational system needs to be bulldozed, figuratively speaking, and started from scratch.
However, disregarding children (and adults) suffering PTSD is not only unwise, but can and will lead to more serious mental problem in the long run. The invisible grooves in many brains laid by extended isolation, lack of human to human contact and touch would deepen if not addressed ASAP.
Nearly all physical degenerative diseases start with extended periods of stress and fear. The modern world already has an epidemic of anxiety, panic attacks, myriad of other mental issues among children that didn’t exist just 50 years ago. COVID hysteria and lockdowns have added fuel to the fire.
Those who deny PTSD are probably older generations who grew up in Newton physics era. They only accept what they can see, feel or touch.
Everyone is a victim in today’s modern Era. Would you like a medal with that, some flowers and a ribbon?
You have no idea what PTSD is or you would not throw it around so loosely. Of course psychologists are going to be talking about this as a terrible thing for the human psyche. They’re not going to let a good opportunity go to waste. Go find something to be depressed about… I’m sure that will make you feel better.
First thing first, get rid of the Inspectorate along with the Joker of Education.
Second, bring back the basics and rote learning. Drill and kill the basics into the students’ heads until they dream about them at night. Only once they have mastered the basics can one entertain teaching things that are more complex. Concentrate a large part of the teaching on Language (35%)and Mathematics (35%), and to a lesser extent, Music (10%), Art (10%)and Physical Education(10%).
Make parents responsible for their child’s learning. If children come to school with incomplete or poorly completed homework start fining them and enforce the fines. If they can bring kids into this world, they can play a part in their education. Kids are not dogs to be let loose on the rest of the world, for the streets or the world to raise them.
Incentivise learning… Provide weekly, term, and yearly prizes to top performers, most improved, best effort, etc. Rain lots of praise on those students so that all others try to emulate.
Bring back sorely needed discipline into the system, and enforce it. Students need to realize that there are positive and negative consequences for their actions. If students are performing poorly send a social worker to their home, immediately – better than sending a constable later.
Bring back standard textbooks and workbooks that will not be changed out for the next 10 years. In fact, don’t allow the Ministry or the Department to change anything at all for at least 10 years. Too often teachers are directed by one joker to do things one way, so that another joker comes in a year later and directs them to do things exactly the opposite. Change for the sake of change should be outlawed.
Most importantly, KISS…Keep it simple stupid! Everything has been politicized, complicated and wrapped up in all kinds of political and administrative tape – get rid of 3/4 of the nonesense.
The virus will be the scapegoat for all ministerial failings, – Ju Ju is the just the first. Nothing to say about the terrible record pre virus, nothing to say about the limited support for students, teachers or schools – how come the private sector is funding kids to have laptops to study from home, how come teachers don’t get help with lessons plans and an approach to remote learning, where was the support on enabling access to the internet for those that cant afford it, but plenty of money to keep paying MLAs and civil servants not working from home. But next poor performance report will be brushed off with “its all the virus’ fault, not our failures to manage the response”. And it will be exactly the same for any ministry criticized.
You’ve hit the nail on the head there. The Cayman education system is a national disaster that rolls on and on. I would be angry if I was one of the students at these schools about being deprived of the right to an education. I think the Cayman mafia – Juju and Mac and Alden and friends – are perfectly happy to keep their people in ignorance while they take everything they can for themselves.
The ministry said some kids were going hungry. As a result teachers and principals were organising the delivery of food to hundreds of children every day.
The Principal of the Sir John A Cumber Primary school already mentioned this problem at the beginning of April. We are failing our own kids!
I’m still suffering trauma after that last TV performance!
She really should stick to paving driveways and attending fancy junkets.
In fact, I think JuJu is a deliberate plant to make JonJon look good.
She and Joke Joke should set up a church. Sure they would be happier with the challenges the job poses versus conducting a ministerial role and having people expect you to justify your decisions an account for your performance.
That would be called the “First Church of the Sheep.”
I feel sorry for anyone who feels they need to wait for Juliana to say anything.
Understandably education fell off but so did the leadership which you can only blame on Minister Juliana. Overwhelmed and out of her depth.
The Minister has only made a statement twice during the 3 months.
An education system that was already piss poor.
There was never enough counselors.
There were never enough teachers.
There was never enough money.
There were never enough special needs teachers.
There was never enough quality in what was taught.
There has never been enough MLA’s that care about our kids.
The mess that is coming September. God help our children.
Not to mention the fact that most of these children don’t have stable homes. I just hope people checking in on these children are making sure they’re not being abused.
To be fair thats not the Ministers fault. But acknowledging it as an issue, and trying to find solutions, would be refreshing. But just too difficult – and why bother when you can get re elected irrespective of your job performance. When I see her, and Moses, and Mac, and the stuff they come up with, I am reminded of Trump and hos claim – probably true at the time – that he could shoot someone dead in the street and still get re-elected.
There is enough money, there are enough teachers, there are enough counselors. For some reason, the kids are not learning. Maybe the curriculum doesn’t match the interests, learning style, who knows? I feel that changes implemented due to Covid might help: back to single desks and not this idea of clusters in classrooms. For primary school it merely served as a waste of time trying to control behaviour. Perhaps outdoor learning will take place again as a safety measure. Maybe by trying to address the digital descrepancy we can again have multi age classes. Not saying that the past was so great but it certainly produced an ambitious and motivated society, severely lacking now.
The issue is the caymanian first policy and how it is perceived by the kids and parents, that’s where the breakdown happens. You know how much kids have told me that they dont need education they caymanian, they have to get big jobs and big cars. Daddy is rich, family business is booming, they are entitled to best jobs, so education not important. That is a cultural problem and it needs to change. There is absolutely nothing wrong with having a caymanian first policy, in fact I encourage it and I love it. However the type of conversations that happens in the home surrounding the perceived entitlement of getting any job simply because they are caymanian is the poison that deters the kids from learning. The few great kids that actually learn have parents that are more grounded and hinged to reality. Then you also have kids that just want to be a fisherman on their small boat, again cultural. So I’d ask “wouldn’t you want to start your own business supplying seafood to local restaurants and supermarkets?” And the response ALWAYS is “No, just a small boat to fish for myself n my family” high school children.
Why don’t you just pray, as usual, to the sky fairy and get it to un-traumatize the kids, JuJu?
Ironic that an all-knowing creator would have also created viruses yet some think we can just pray and say “hey big guy, we’ve prayed and thanked hard enough, can you stop giving positive cases now?”
Thank a frontline worker instead of futile mumbling with your eyes closed.
I read the first line of your comment and decided your post wasn’t worth me finishing. I believe everyone should have an opinion but when you use it to offend others you’re just being plain stupid.
What a load of crapola!
God bless JuJu.
God bless and protect our island’s children because the DOE and DES and many parents are failing them by playing blind to the obvious. JUJU is gonna be fine.
I agree. I was being sarcastic myself.