The Ministry of Education has announced that face to face education is to re-start after the Easter break on Monday, April 12 in a phased approach.
The announcement was made via a comes by way of a Cabinet Brief and states “Cabinet approved the plan from the Ministry of Education for the phased return to face-to-face instruction of schools at all levels and sectors across the country beginning April 12, 2021.
Based on a memorandum issued by the Chief Executive Officer in the Ministry of Education, which is addressed to general managers of schools, the reopening will take place based on consultations. The memorandum states that “while many teachers still want more information on the vaccine, about half are ready to take the vaccine, and many are ready to return.”
The memorandum states that the phased return to classes will be done under the following processes:
(1) Schools will be asked to complete a Phased-In Return Application Form. This form will collate the demographics and the school’s plan for who will return and how. Schools will need to have their shifts or staggered schedules in place.
(2) Schools will schedule a visit from their DEC. Visits will be scheduled online and the DEC team will visit the school to complete the Green Light Standard Safety Checklist.
(3) Schools who have completed all requirements will receive certification and will be able to begin to have their students return to the classroom.
While there is a protocol for restart, the memorandum does state that the participation of schools is optional for right now. “Schools may begin to phase in the return either on April 12, as part of Group 1 or on May 10, as part of Group 2.
