L6 classes begin next week

Auxilia Katongomara, Chronicle Reporter
Lower Sixth formers will start lessons next Monday, quashing speculation that they were going to start in the second term.

Primary and Secondary Education Minister Lazarus Dokora said the dates have remained unchanged with headmasters told to charge fees for the period the pupils would be in school, instead of charging for the whole term.

Parents have complained about the enrolment of Lower Sixth pupils in the last month of the first term, which they said wasted their resources and those of the schools.

Last night Minister Dokora said the planned enrolment of Lower Sixth pupils in the second term will not be implemented this year.

“As usual lessons commence two weeks after results are released and parents will pay fees based on a pro-rata basis,” said Minister Dokora.

There was uncertainty over the commencement of the Lower Sixth form classes with some arguing that it would start next term.

This year’s first school term is 10 weeks long, compared to 13 weeks in previous terms. Schools opened on January 12 and will close on March 23, before the usual closing date during the first week of April.

The school term has been shortened by the Easter holidays that start on March 25 ending March 28.

The government has said it has taken note of the short learning period and has encouraged its workforce to utilise the available time to make up for the time.