All private schools, daycare centers, pre-schools and colleges will now be able to reopen for in person sessions.

Deputy Premier and Minister for Education, Culture, Youth Affairs, Fishers and Agriculture, Dr. the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley said during his Update on the Reopening of Schools this evening that Cabinet received the HEOC COVID-19 Situation Report #28 and made various decisions in regards to the Territory's schools.

 “One such decision was to instruct the Attorney General's Chambers to amend the Suppression Order No. 6 to allow private schools, daycare centres, pre-schools and colleges to open for in-school instruction where approved, following inspection by the Social Monitoring Task Force and the Ministry of Education, and in compliance with the Social Distancing Protocols of six feet and sanitisation measures,” Minister Wheatley said.

He added that it is of paramount importance that everyone understands that all educational institutions must have measures in place to safeguard the health and wellbeing of children and teachers.

In regards to public schools, these institutions will be opened in phases. At the moment only the following groups will be allowed for in person instructions.

• Technical education students;
• Students with special needs; and
• Marginalised students and adult education students, as specified and approved by the Chief Education Officer

All institutions are asked to make the necessary preparations and contact the Chief Education Officer, who will make the arrangements for inspection with the Environmental Health Division.

Honourable Wheatley said that all schools will be expected to comply with the requirements outlined in the Ministry’s Framework for the Reopening of Schools which include some of the following provisions:

•         All persons on school campuses must wear a mask or face shield

•         Visitors to school campuses will be restricted

•         School schedules will outline lunch and break period

•         Clear demarcations must be placed separating the spaces for each student

•         Wash basins must be visible for hand washing

•         sanitisers must be in all classrooms for on-going sanitisation throughout the day 

Schools are expected to continue to engage students through a series of online interactive sessions during the phases, utilising Cisco Webex, Zoom online platform, Class Dojo, Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram, Google Teams, and Google Hangout, combined with the Google Classroom, emails, and PowerSchool for sending and receiving assignments even for those who are attending classes on the campus.

For more information on the 2020-2021 School Year, contact the Ministry of Education, Culture, Youth Affairs, Fisheries and Agriculture at 468-4949.