Press conference by the Ministry of Education, Technological and Vocational Training – April 21, 2022. (PMO)

School Term III referred to as the Trinity Term, will begin on Monday, April 25, for teachers, and Tuesday, April 26 for students using a hybrid format of face-to-face and online teaching.

This announcement was made by Minister of Education, Technological and Vocational Training, Kay McConney, during a press conference held this evening at Ilaro Court.

“The official start of Term III will be on Monday, April 25, 2022; that is next Monday. Only, teachers will come to school on Monday and students will come to school to start on Tuesday, April 26…. Schools will close at 2:00 p.m. for public schools. Extracurricular activities will continue following the same protocols as before, and all children will be expected to wear their full uniforms,” Minister McConney announced.

She went on to explain that due to capacity constraints, not all schools and not all students would be able to return to face-to-face classes on Tuesday, April 26. However, she indicated that “everyone will receive instruction from April 26”. 

In reference to the hybrid format for teaching, the Minister pointed out that parents and guardians would receive instruction from their respective principals “who will be sending out correspondence to parents on which students are to come to school on which day”

She added that this will remain in place until the physical distance of three feet was completely removed, or when additional space could be provided.

The Education Minister emphasised that it was the goal of the ministry to get every child back to full face-to-face classes, and the ministry would continue to work with the Ministry of Health and Wellness and all stakeholders involved to make that a reality.

Until such time, she encouraged all persons to continue to follow the Ministry’s ‘Roadmap For The Safe Return to School Blended Learning’, to ensure the safety of students and teachers within the schools. The roadmap can be viewed on the Ministry’s Media Resource Department’s website.

Minister McConney noted that: “The experience of Term II should give us all calls to feel good about what we can do and to build our confidence, that as we move into Term III, we will be able to do so safely and responsibly and to ensure that while we expect there to be cases, that we will be able to contain any spread….”

She also took the time during the press conference to urge parents to sign up their children to be vaccinated. The school term is scheduled to last for 12 weeks. 

sheena.forde-craigg@barbados.gov.bb

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