PARAMARIBO – Hundreds of the nation’s educators recently made it clear, that they do not think that the second chance schools of the Ministry of Education, Science and Culture will have the desired result. They explained that they are convinced that the  education gaps of about three years can’t be closed in one month. “We hope that the teachers who signed up to be stationed at the second chance schools, will not do it for the money but that they will actually work to close the education gaps during the summer vacation. “This huge backlog of lessons can’t be cleared in a few weeks,” said the teachers who added that the classrooms are very hot during the summer vacation and that it will therefore be difficult for students to process the lessons. The teachers pointed out that the classrooms of the nation’s public schools do not have air-conditioning units or fans. A teacher who runs a seventh grade explained that her pupils can neither read nor write and that it would therefore take longer to bridge the education gaps. The teachers are urging parents not to see the second chance schools as daycare centers during the summer vacation, but to also lend a helping hand when their children have to do their homework. “Teachers can do their utmost but they do not have a magic wand. Parents must also provide assistance to their children at home.”…[+]