Phased Return To The Classroom Starts April 20
Students across Barbados will be returning to the physical classroom at the start of the third term of the 2020-2021 academic year on April 20.
Minister of Education, Technological and Vocational Training, Santia Bradshaw, made the announcement while delivering a post-Cabinet Ministerial Statement, last evening.
“Effective on the 19th of April, all teachers and ancillary staff will be required to return in person to their respective schools. School will therefore start for all students on Tuesday, the 20th of April,” she said, assuring that no effort was being spared to allow for the safe return to the classroom.
Minister Bradshaw added that the resumption of in-person classes was critical, as many students had a difficult time adjusting to virtual learning over the past months.
She explained that under the phased approach, students preparing to sit the Barbados Secondary School Entrance Examination and the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) exams will return to the classroom first.
“Those students who must report on Tuesday, April 20, will be all Class Three and Class Four primary school students, as well as all Fifth and Sixth Form students…. It doesn’t mean that the other students don’t matter…. We have to pause and recognise that these students need to get back into a face-to-face environment so that our teachers are in a position to be able to assess exactly where they are in terms of the loss of instructional time in the classroom,” she stated.
Ms. Bradshaw also reminded secondary school students scheduled to write their CXC exams this year that they had the option to defer if they felt they needed more time to prepare.
As it relates to face-to-face instruction for the other students, the Education Minister said “the intention is that they will be able to come in at least three days on and two days off and they will be doing the two days in the online environment”.
A similar approach would be adopted for children enrolled in nursery schools, who would also be returning to the classroom on April 20, and according to Ms. Bradshaw, “the schedule of those classes will be determined by the Ministry in consultation with the respective principals at those schools”.
She also revealed that the Ministry had proposed that schools open from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., in light of concerns raised about the wearing of face masks for an entire day, especially for persons who may suffer from respiratory conditions such as asthma.
Ms. Bradshaw also dispelled any notion that teachers were opposed to going back to school, stating that they “want to, but they want the assurance that they can do so safely”.
The Education Minister also reassured that all health and safety protocols would be in place, noting that education officials had been consulting, and would continue to consult with their counterparts in the Ministry of Health and Wellness, teachers unions, students, parent-teacher associations and other stakeholders in the education sector on the way forward.
NYA PHILLIPS – BGIS
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Ministry Outlines Guidelines For Safe Reopening Of Schools
MAR 26, 2021 – NYA PHILLIPS – BGIS
As schools across the island prepare to welcome students next month, the Ministry of Education, Technological and Vocational Training (METVT) has sought to reassure school staff, parents and students that the necessary steps have been taken to ensure the safe return to the physical classroom.
This follows the announcement by Minister Santia Bradshaw that there will be a phased resumption of face-to-face instruction from April 20. The school day will run from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Based on a proposal agreed to by Cabinet, teachers and ancillary staff are to report in-person to their respective schools on Monday, April 19, while Class Three and Four primary school students, and their secondary counterparts in Fifth and Sixth Forms would do so the following day.
The Ministry has confirmed in a release today that the phased reopening also applies to nursery schools and special needs schools/units, with class schedules being determined by input from the schools’ management teams, the Ministry and direction from the COVID-19 Monitoring Unit.
Teachers and ancillary staff are to report in-person to their respective schools on Monday, April 19, while Class Three and Four primary school students, and their secondary counterparts in Fifth and Sixth Forms would do so the following day.
Ministry of Education, Technological and Vocational Training
It has further advised that a blended approach, a mix of online and in-person classes, would be used for other students “until a gradual return to full face-to-face can be accommodated”.
The METVT gave the assurance that it would be working with the Health and Safety Committee at each school to ensure all COVID-19 safety protocols were reviewed, implemented and monitored. Additionally, school monitors would be on duty at nursery, special needs and primary schools from Monday, April 19.
It was noted that the Ministry of Health and Wellness has recommended mandatory mask wearing for all persons on the school compound. To this end, the Ministry of Education has committed to “continue to distribute cloth masks to public schools on request”.
Meanwhile, “mask breaks” for students would be allowed during the school day. Additionally, persons would be permitted to wear face shields or goggles if they so desire.
It further stated that the booklet on the Guidelines for the Safe Operation of Schools in Barbados has been updated, following discussions with UNICEF and the Ministry of Health and Wellness. This would be available online from Monday, March 29.
“…a blended approach, a mix of online and in-person classes, would be used for other students “until a gradual return to full face-to-face can be accommodated”.
Ministry of Education, Technological and Vocational Training
On the matter of meals, packed lunches would be provided by the School Meals Department at public primary, special needs and nursery schools. Canteens would be allowed to operate, while students could bring their own lunches.
The METVT indicated that vending may be permitted, but pointed out that strict guidelines would be issued in this regard, after consultation with the Ministry of Health.
The Ministry added that it would continue to provide necessary training for ancillary staff, school monitors, and teachers.
A Mental Health and Wellness Committee would also be established by the METVT to work with teachers and students. It has said that it would “continue to evaluate and monitor the situation and provide further updates prior to the opening of school in Term Three”.
NYA PHILLIPS – BGIS
