Phased rollout of face-to-face classes continues Tuesday

Minister of Education Santia Bradshaw has given the greenlight for the phased rollout of more face-to-face classes to continue from Tuesday, May 11.

Speaking during Sunday’s live COVID-19 update, Bradshaw said that after having several discussions with principals of nursery, primary, secondary, and special needs schools over the last several days, and with additional cleaning of ash being completed at more schools, more face-to-face classes will commence.

“At present we have approximately 26 small primary schools, which as of today can take in all of their students on Tuesday the 11th. We also have four of our large schools; George Lamming, Arthur Smith, Hilda Skeene, and St Stephen Primary, which are also in the position to take all of their students using a phased approach.

“The reason for this is that we want to give the teachers and the students enough time to settle each of the year groups before bringing in another year group. I must say that there have been some very ambitious principals and certainly great leaders across their institutions who have tried their best to get these children back into the institution because I feel all of us have recognized that many of the student are suffering at home, and that being in the face-to-face environment is obviously a preference,” she said.

The primary schools that will be allowed to resume full face to face classes are: A Da Costa Edwards, Bay Primary, Belmont, Cuthbert Moore, Ellerton, Elliot Belgrave, Gordon Greenidge, Grantley Prescod, Half Moon Fort, Holy Innocents, Ignatius Byer, Milton Lynch, Mount Tabor, Roland Edwards, Selah, St. Bartholomew, St Bernard, St Elizabeth, St Jude, St Lucy, St Luke/Brighton, St Margaret, St Philip and Vauxhall.

In continuing the phased approach to in-person classes, Bradshaw also said that Class 2 students will be allowed to resume from Tuesday, as well as Reception.

“Also from Tuesday May 11th you will see now the Class 2 and Reception students returning, and on Thursday May 13th, this will be followed by the Class 1, Infants A, and Infants B at our primary schools. If there are any changes to this, our Principals and teachers will reach out to parents directly. Let me just say here, it is imperative on parents to make sure they update the contact information available to our schools because especially in this environment, I know people are moving around but the truth is, you need to make sure our schools can reach out to you as quickly as possible,” Bradshaw added.

With the lack of space being available at the island’s secondary schools to resume more face-to-face classes, with Form 5 and 6 students using spare classrooms to complete their given module and lab assignments, Minister Bradshaw said 16 out of the 21 principals from these institutions requested that their phased commencement of additional forms levels be halted at this time.

Fom Tuesday, Daryll Jordan can accommodate 2nd form and Lower 5th students, with Grantley Adams allowing First and Second formers to return.

Form 3 students from the Queen’s College, The Lodge School, and Christ Church Foundation School who are writing the CXC Maths exam, will be further advised on when to attend face-to-face classes this week.

All other classes and forms not mentioned will continue in their blended approach with online classes. (SB)