FINAL grades could be calculated based on assignments and previous semester results, as classrooms continue to be suspended to limit the spread of Covid-19.
The Education Ministry is considering all options as public and private schools and universities work towards drawing up proper plans for the end of the academic year, which usually takes place in June.
However, the ministry has still not decided on whether it will allow schools and universities to hold final exams.
It said that its current priority is to provide and ensure the continuation of the learning process, which has been moved to online portals and television broadcasting.
Education Ministry public relations and media department director Dr Fawaz Al Shurooqi said authorities were studying how best to handle final examinations and assessment for all students.
“The ministry is studying several options in this regard, depending on the future development of the situation, because the focus at this stage is on providing and ensuring the continuation of the learning process,” he told the GDN.
“In all cases, the outcome of the first semester and the result of the first month of the second semester will be taken into consideration, in addition to the activities of the students, when calculating the final results.”
When asked about the ministry’s long-term plans for the new academic year scheduled for September, Dr Al Shurooqi said it was too early to answer because it depended on developments in tackling the crisis.
The ministry has also begun airing lessons on Bahrain TV where some 200 different lessons were filmed, and the process is ongoing, in addition to uploading lessons and new enrichments through the ministry’s channel on YouTube.
The ministry has distributed 14 sub-channels according to the classes from grades one to 12 in addition to technical and vocational education, and special education,
Dr Al Shurooqi also told the GDN that the teachers have been eager to record the televised classes and have prepared many activities and lessons for their students for distance learning.
“The process is continuing, as the teachers competed to take part in filming TV sessions and participate in their own initiatives to activate digital education during this period,” he explained.
“As for the students, they reacted well with the educational methods provided by the ministry, and this was monitored through continuous follow-up, and distinguished examples of their success stories in activating distance education were highlighted during this period.”
The ministry, meanwhile, issued a statement yesterday revealing that teachers in public schools were able to produce and provide more than 221,000 educational activities and materials for their students at various academic levels since the suspension of schools.
Suspended
Classes in all public and private schools, universities and educational institutions have been suspended from February 26 until further notice, while movie theatres, fitness centres and recreational facilities have also been closed.
Other key measures taken in the fight against the coronavirus include closing all non-essential businesses from last night until April 9.
Hypermarkets, cold stores, bakeries, pharmacies and banks have been exempted from the temporary shutdown, while restaurants and cafes will continue to provide delivery and takeaway services.
Public gatherings of more than five people have also been banned, with strict measures to be taken against violators.
People have also been asked to only leave their homes to go to work or hospitals or to buy medicines and other essential requirements.
ghazi@gdn.com.bh
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