KINGSTON, Jamaica — Opposition Spokesperson on Education and Training, Angela Brown Burke, says she supports an extension to the current school year, but the Ministry of Education cannot make the decision unilaterally.

Responding to questions at a People’s National Party press conference this morning, Brown Burke said that schools have had learning loss, but it has not been across the board in the same kind of way.

“There are teachers… you know I spoke to a principal just day before yesterday, who told me that she’s just simply tired — she’s tired of going online, of closing, of opening, and everytime you make a decision of that nature, it means that they have to sit and recast what they’re doing,” she said.

She added: “And everytime they change it, it deflates the energy, the passion [behind] what persons are doing. The parents are tired, too, because they’re not used to having the children home as long as they have. It’s been difficult.

“Far too many of them [students] are romping on the road, and that is those who are doing a good thing, because there are others who are involved in other activities that are not as innocuous as romping…”

Last week, Education, Youth and Information Minister Fayval Williams announced that there will be an increase in the number of school days in this academic year for grade six students who are slated to sit the ability test component of the Primary Exit Profile exam on May 26.

The minister explained that the increase in school days is to allow for the administering of diagnostic tests to identify the gaps in learning that will have to be addressed once students matriculate to the secondary level.

The results of the diagnostic tests will be sent to high schools where students are placed, she said.

Nothing has been said about the plans for other students who are not sitting exams.

On Friday, President of the Jamaica Teachers’ Association Jasford Gabriel voiced his dissatisfaction with the extension, and said he was surprised at the ministry’s announcement. He said teachers and students need adequate time to prepare for the new school year.

“The new school year will obviously present new and unprecedented challenges as we prepare to rally around the efforts to bridge the gaps in learning. Both our teachers and students need to be refreshed, rested and mentally prepared to effectively treat with the challenges ahead,” he said.

“In any case the teachers have already made plans and as per usual are especially looking forward to this summer break,” he added.