The Jamaica Association of Principals of Secondary Schools has expressed concern, that students who had already been struggling to keep up with online classes last year, will be at an even greater disadvantage, this academic year.

The Association’s President Livern Wright noted, that under normal circumstances, students who fell short of the requirements to matriculate to a higher grade level, would repeat the lower grade.

However, with challenges for available space made worse by the impact of the Covid pandemic, even those who wanted to repeat, have been pushed through to the higher grade level.

Mr. Wright explains that because teachers and school administrators are aware of difficulties of the affected students, they are given special attention, while at the higher grade.

But even this effort is insufficient, because teachers are unable to effectively engage the students.