A New Beginning 2020

Fiji - In January, over 275,000 students started their first day of school for 2020. Wide-eyed preschoolers, the enthusiastic Year 1 students dawning their new uniforms, and excited year 9 students eager to begin their high school journey.

Unfortunately, Fiji along with the rest of the world was hit by the COVID-19 pandemic, forcing the closures of international borders along with business and schools.This also was the beginning of introduction of online schooling or rather Fiji's version of it which had school assignments online, educational radio & tv programs as well as iTaukei Maths - a youtube channel in the itaukei venacular assisting itaukei students with maths.

After 3 months of social & physical distancing, online curriculum's, regularly washing our hands and adjusting to the new social norms, the two hundred and seventy five thousand students will be re-entering their schools in July.

It has been the longest time students in Fiji have been away from the school atmosphere that provided structure, routine and a healthy safe learning environment. The return to school will be a new beginning for everyone, not only the students but also for parents.

The new Calendar year for term 2 is now 13 weeks with Term 3 with 12 weeks ending on December 18th. Term 2 school break is for one week. The changes have been made to ensure students are able to complete this years curriculum and for a smooth transition into 2021 school year.

The New Norm

Social distancing will be relaxed in schools however all other COVID-19 health advisories will need to be adhered. This includes regularly washing of hands and for those that are attending boarding schools, regular temperature and symptoms check.

Schools are also required to have all high touch surfaces such as doorknobs, stair rails, desks, keyboards, toys etc cleaned daily. A task that will fall onto the students.

Year 12 & 13 external exams will be held on the last two weeks of Term 3 while the rest of the students will have individual school assessments to enter into the new academic year in 2021.

2020 is a year for the academics as the Ministry of Education has also cancelled all competitive sports and extracurricular activities for the remainder of the year, adhering to the COVID-19 health advisory. This means no Deans Trophy, Kaji Rugby, Chow Games, Coca Cola Games and all other primary and secondary school competitions.

There will be a lot of new norms when the new school term begins, but one can be rest assured that the old norm of morning traffic will be the same.