MOE increases guidelines for schools sports

Some secondary schools were last week scrambling to put measures in place to satisfy a fresh set of guidelines set down by the Ministry of Education, National Reconciliation and Ecclesiastical Affairs.

Dated October 28, 2016, the circular 231, signed by acting chief education officer Beverley Neptune, listed an eight-point guideline for schools participating in sporting competitions.{{more}}

Heading the list is, “Each student participating in sports must be checked by a medical doctor who will determine the fitness of the student for the activity.”

However, this new guideline adds to the restrictions in an earlier bulletin, which education officer with responsibility for Physical Education Rosmund Griffith had given to SEARCHLIGHT last month.

Griffith had informed SEARCHLIGHT, via a document, that participation of students in sporting competitions was contingent on “scrutiny of their medical history as well as a pre-participation examination done by a doctor, nurse practitioner or qualified clinician under the supervision of a physician.”

Reports are that some schools are up in arms about the latest set of requirements, given that the football competitions for both primary and secondary schools, got going on October 14, while the netball competition started yesterday, November 7.

Meanwhile, it was the said Ministry and all its attending sub-committees, which, at the opening of the football competitions at the Arnos Vale One Playing Field, failed to provide medical services.

That point is being addressed in the Ministry’s latest guidelines, which noted: “A Red Cross personnel should be invited to be present at the game if the game is not in close proximity to a health facility.”

Additionally, Neptune’s listing states: “Parental consent must be sought and granted for each student attending.”

For this permission, as stated in the Ministry’s circular, “The consent form approved by the Ministry of Education etc must be used.”

Also given as a requirement: “The transport used must satisfy all safety and legal requirements/standards; …Principals must collect a copy of the vehicle’s insurance and the licence of the driver. … Overcrowding of buses is prohibited.”

For teams using motor vessels or other water craft, “Adults travelling with students across the sea must ensure that life jackets are available for each student and that they are accessible.”

According to the circular, “The Ministry of Education has become increasingly aware of the vulnerability of our students when participating in sports and is therefore obligated measures for their protection.”