The Ministry of Education, Heritage and Arts have thanked teachers and students for their diligent work this year as they continue to prepare for the External and National Examinations.

The external and national annual examination will start next Monday.

Education Minister, Rosy Akbar says schools are a hub of activity at the moment and they hope the same will be true after exams.

Term 3 ends officially on 22 November 2019 and they are encouraging all parents to send their children to school after exams are over as teachers are geared up to keep students engaged in a healthy and safe manner following the National Examinations.

The Ministry has prepared guides for all Schools with ideas on how to keep all students fully engaged in both academic and extra-curricular activities.

Some areas of academic focus include but are not limited to literacy and numeracy, family life, Constitution and citizenship education, financial and enterprise education, careers and computing.

However, the Heads of Schools and teachers are free to tap into their wealth of creativity to come up with ideas to engage students on other important issues such as climate change while also promoting healthy nutrition and physical activity.

The guides also give ample time to focus on social issues such as drug awareness, a healthy approach, and attitude towards social media, cultural education, water, fire and road safety, dealing with abuse and trauma, suicide awareness and gardening. Primary schools will also be busy preparing for the National Athletics Championships to help identify our future National Sporting heroes. All students will be given the opportunity to try out various games and sports, arts and music.

A special segment has been allocated to teach the children the lyrics of the National Anthem in our vernacular languages.