MEMO 43 of 2023

MINISTRY OF EDUCATION (GUYANA)

MEMORANDUM
FROM: The Chief Education Officer
TO: All head teachers
Thru’ the Regional Education Officers (1-10) & Principal Education Officer
SUBJECT: HOT CLIMATIC CONDITIONS
DATE: 10th October 2023

The Ministry of Education (MoE) has taken note of the recent weather conditions of hot climatic
temperature in Guyana and several reports indicating its effect on schools and the users (teachers and
children) of schools. Against this backdrop, the MoE wishes to advise head teachers and staff to observe
the following guidelines:
1. Schools and classrooms must be managed with enough flexibility to allow for comfortable and
safe learning. This may mean that long established rules, customs, traditions, habits and practices
need to be reviewed and adjusted.
2. Teachers should be allowed, if they so choose, to conduct classes outside of the building and/or
outside of established classrooms, if the outside or other space is cooler than the inside.
3. Rules relating to students’ uniform can be relaxed at the discretion of the school to ensure that
students are more comfortable. Also, teachers are encouraged to dress in attire (light, loose
clothing; sleeveless clothes, etc) which, will help them to cope with the high temperature.
4. Schools can give students additional short breaks during instructional time.
5. Students should be encouraged to drink plenty of fluids (such as water) regularly even if they
don’t feel thirsty. Parents must ensure that students bring one or more bottles of water/fluid to
school to consume. Schools are asked to ensure that students are not restricted from drinking
water/fluids at any time during the school day.
6. Students should be advised to stay out of the sun and where possible given increased access to the
coolest areas of the school buildings and grounds. Timetables can be adjusted accordingly.
7. Students should be encouraged to wear a cap or hat while outside.
8. Teachers should familiarize themselves with signs of heat illnesses which include:
a. headache
b. dizziness and confusion
c. loss of appetite and feeling sick
d. excessive sweating and pale, clammy skin
e. cramps in the arms, legs, and stomach
f. fast breathing or pulse
g. a high temperature of 38°C or above
h. being very thirsty

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 MEMO 43 of 2023

9. Collective actions should be taken by the school to ensure outdoor activities are modified to
increase rest periods or postponed during extreme heat conditions.
10. Activities should be rearranged to minimize physical exertion.
11. Teachers should avoid relying only on a fan when the indoor temperature is extremely high.
12. Schools should avoid lighting fires in the compound.

Kindly ensure that you bring the contents of this memorandum to the attention of all members of staff and
that they affix their signatures and the date thereon.

Yours respectfully,

Saddam Hussain
Chief Education Officer

For information:
1. Hon. Priya Manickchand, Minister of Education
2. Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education
3. General Secretary, Guyana Teachers’ Union
Copied to:
1. Deputy Chief Education Officers (Administration, Development, Technical and Amerindian and
Hinterland Education Development)
2. Chief Schools Inspector
3. Assistant Chief Education Officers (Nursery, Primary, Secondary, Literacy, Technical, HFLE,
Exams, SEN)
4. Deputy Permanent Secretary (Administration), Ministry of Education
5. Regional Executive Officers, Regions 1 – 10

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