Bradshaw firm on school masks policy

Minister of Education Santia Bradshaw remained unmoved Wednesday by objections to a policy that allows primary and secondary school students to remove their masks while in class. She declared that the decision was sanctioned by public health officials and was adopted on that basis.

Bradshaw was responding to complaints from Barbados Secondary Teachers’ Union President Mary Redman that the decision was contrary to the conditions under which educators agreed when discussing their return to the classroom.

On national radio, the union president declared that a letter had been sent to the Chief Education Officer to formally inform authorities of the teachers’ disapproval.

But Bradshaw explained that while all other safety protocols and protective equipment remained intact to prevent the possible spread of coronavirus, the altered position on masks was intended to safeguard the health of children with respiratory illnesses.

The Minister said: “While we have stakeholders and we are agreed on the wearing of masks, we are also bound to consult with the public health officials to guide the process if there are to be any changes. Having consulted with public health, they indicated that under the circumstances we explained… that the masks could be removed.

“It is not a case where we unilaterally changed a position and it impacted on learning and teaching specifically. We had no choice but to change it because from a public health perspective, we were told we could remove it.”

Bradshaw further stressed that students would still be required to wear masks on their commute to and from the school compound. They would also have to maintain the highest sanitary standards along with adhering to the physical distancing protocols.

She explained: “On the first day of school, many students were doing mock exams and the concerns expressed by some of the teachers revealed that the children were saying it’s difficult for them to sit still. They aren’t talking or anything and it gets hot having to wear the masks for an extended period and there were genuine concerns about the impact that could have on their health and wellbeing.”

She added that with the public health situation improving and no positive Covid-19 tests recorded in four weeks, the decision to remove masks was even easier for public health officials to make.

Said Bradshaw: “We have consulted with [unions] on the major issues like the provision of PPEs and we have done that. But a public health decision has been taken based on the wearing of masks for long periods where they are not talking or interacting.

“It is not like the normal classroom where they are getting up and moving around and doing stuff. They are not necessarily working in groups or anything and the masks are still there. If the teacher obviously believes that there is a greater interaction, they can be used.

“We have not taken away the masks. We have simply said that for the purpose of certain activities, the masks are not necessary in the classrooms.”
kareemsmith@barbadostoday.bb