SUPPORT FOR THE NEW NORM in primary Schools

The United Way Trinidad and Tobago (UWTT) Support to the New Norm Project is an Advocacy through Collective Action Project to support selected primary schools in high need communities, which serve low income families, to re-open safely and efficiently in ways that does not add a financial and emotional burden to families who need time to recover from the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

UWTT is committed to implement the blended schooling model, with face to face school as the basis for the model, as the most effective way to reduce both physical and virtual absenteeism of those most at risk for learning loss.  We feel that this is necessary to address learning loss in these communities and to ensure that this crisis does not increase the number of school drop outs in the future.  We used our resources to improve the resilience and capacity of these schools to manage living with the new norm of COVID-19.

While the investment is being targeted on the 15 primary schools in the United Way Trinidad and Tobago (UWTT) Building Bridges from Learning to Success Programme, we are hoping that we can help provide a model for other schools and partners to use.  Approximately 5,000 students and 241 teachers from 15 schools will benefit from this project.

The Project was launched in August 2020 with the mobilisation efforts to raise necessary funding to implement the Project.  It has been implemented in Phases as schools continue to be closed for face to face school.  Of resources mobilised, 50% came from Corporate, 25% from Foundations, 10% from individuals and in-kind donations and an additional 15% from the UWTT Community Fund.

Phase 1 the Project was scoped for available budget and was completed in time for the start of Term 3, April 12, 2021 – 60% of budget allocated to handwashing, 30% to mask wearing, 5% to communications, and 5% to visibility and administration.  Phase 1 results include:

1. Improved handwashing capacity by installation of 40 permanent troughs stations for a total of about 80 faucets and provision of necessary consumables and accessories
2. Produced over 1,000 items of child and parent friendly communication materials to the schools with material available online
3. Encourage universal mask wearing by distributing masks to the students and teachers
4. Supported the Principals to develop a culture of shared responsibility for living in the New Norm

We invite you to view the wrap up video of Phase 1 below.

With schools remaining closed, Phase 2 was launched in June 2021 looking at the other critical area of ventilation in the schools.  This in turn will help address the growing evidence that physical distancing of less than 6 feet is adequate for primary schools, along with mask wearing and fresh air, allowing more children to be in school.  Another critical area for Phase 2 will be school connectivity so that when children and teachers return, blended schooling is more feasible and at least having some children returning to school who cannot access adequate connectivity at home.  The model Ventilation Project at Mucurapo Boys Primary RC School was completed in September 2021.