During the first phase of progressive and voluntary return with the presentation of educational continuity plans, 54% of institutions already had authorization.
From Monday, November 22, a first group of students between 15 and 17 years of high school from technical and rural schools at the national level and high school in the Galapagos Islands return to the classrooms, according to the schedule of the Ministry of the branch.
To do this, previously, the Emergency Operations Committee (COE) approved the protocols and guidelines for the return to face-to-face classes with full capacity based on information from the previous experience of the voluntary return to face-to-face, vaccination rates and international experience. on the subject, indicated the minister of the branch, María Brown.
During the first phase of progressive and voluntary return with the presentation of educational continuity plans, 54% of educational institutions already had authorization to use their facilities with reduced capacity.
In Ecuador, the return to face-to-face classes will begin with a group of 402,309 15 and 17-year-old students
How will the return be given for the different educational levels?
On November 22, 2021 there will be a face-to-face return in all technical and rural high schools; and in high school from the Galapagos Islands.
On December 6, 2021, the rest of the high school and upper secondary students will return in person, and the next day for those from Quito.
On January 17, 2022, there will be a face-to-face return of 100% of basic education and high school on a national scale.
The return will occur once the canton has reached 85% vaccination coverage of the second dose, both in the population between 12 and 17 years old and between 5 and 11 years old.
Will students who have not yet completed their immunization schedule against COVID-19 be able to attend?
It is indifferent, it is the decision of the families.
How is the vaccination of teachers and student population progressing at the national level?
92.27% of teachers are already vaccinated with the two doses, that is, 205,686 teachers. Students aged 12 to 17 years have received the first dose 77.01% and the second dose 42.53% of that age group. Meanwhile, the coverage of the first dose in children from 5 to 11 years old reaches 42.37%, according to the Ministry of the branch.
Will the eight hours a day be fulfilled as before the pandemic?
It will depend on the educational institution for infrastructure reasons. Directors must coordinate the issue with the District.
What minimum conditions must a campus meet for the return to face-to-face classes?
They must have basic or equivalent services, signage, self-care and hygiene procedures and socialize them with students and also a temporary isolation space or its equivalent, such as a commune house or nearby sub-center. In addition, the return will occur once the population aged 12 to 17 and 5 to 11 has reached 85% coverage.
Is there a capacity regulation?
The capacity is free, depending on the educational infrastructure.
Those who do not wish to attend the face-to-face modality at the schools, what alternatives will they have?
There are two virtual institutions (Guayacanes and Arupos), which are in the process of setting up, assigning teachers and a physical space for the servers and their operation. The resolution to create both institutions is expected to be ready until Monday, November 22, to begin classes next January. The transfers are already activated in the system.
Can private schools offer distance learning?
Private schools can extend their academic offerings. They must request permission from the authorities.
What happens to students who are vulnerable or have conditions that can be aggravating to COVID-19?
They may reach bilateral agreements with the institution that offers only face-to-face modality so that the student – by exception – remains in virtual modality, according to the guidelines document of the Ministry of Education.
What rules will apply during recess time?
There are differentiated gauges with alternations at recess. Not everyone will have it at the same time, that is, they will have time differences by sublevels.
Will the campus bars be open?
During this period of hybrid modality, part of the bars of private entities have remained closed. Authorities have not specified whether they will open from Monday.
Will the mask be mandatory on campus?
The use of the mask will be kept mandatory. In addition, the biosecurity mechanism will be sought when entering and leaving classrooms for breaks and restricted food consumption. For example, do not do it in an enclosed space without all the other occupants of the site having masks.
What is the situation of the school express workers for the progressive and obligatory return of their work?
There are established protocols and they have been presented to the national Emergency Operations Committee (COE) for the issue of 100% capacity and compliance with other biosafety measures.
Can the campus force me to hire a school express for the months that remain for the school period on the Coast?
No, it is not an obligation.
If a student changes to a virtual campus and the following year they decide to return to face-to-face mode, could they enter the previous educational institution they were in again?
You can return to the face-to-face system, but it is not guaranteed that it is to the same institution, since it depends on the educational offer.
Will the purchase of uniforms be mandatory?
The uniform will not be mandatory in the 2021-2022 school year, according to the Ministry of Education.
Are the lists of school supplies kept or should I buy the ones requested by the entity?
The Ministry of Education has indicated that they should be maintained.
If my son is currently attending in the hybrid mode, do I stop sending him until he has to enter with the new schedule?
You can continue to attend classes normally.
During the period of voluntary classes, in the hybrid modality, have there been cases of COVID-19?
In the more than 670,000 students, 31 cases of COVID-19 have been presented in different educational units.
Are all the teachers who will be in the face-to-face system vaccinated?
The head of Health indicated that they will make sure that those teachers who go to face-to-face classes are vaccinated and those who are not complete it before starting classes.
Writing note: If you have a question about the return to classes, you can write to us at granguayaquil@eluniverso.com to transfer the concern to the Education authority and include your query in this note.
Paul is a talented author and journalist with a passion for entertainment and general news. He currently works as a writer at the 247 News Agency, where he has established herself as a respected voice in the industry.
