Minister for Education, Culture, Youth Affairs, Fisheries and Agriculture, Dr. the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley has announced that students in the Territory will return to their classrooms for the 2021-2022 Academic School Year.

Honourable Wheatley in his statement on the “Reopening of schools”, said all schools, public and private, will be allowed to open and students will be free to return to school campuses and engage in face-to-face instruction for the 2021 – 2022 academic year.”

Honourable Wheatley said, “The academic school year will begin on Monday, August 23… the official start date for classes will be Monday, September 6.  All primary school students will return to a full school day of face-to-face instruction.  The school day will begin at 8:40 a.m. and end at 3:30 p.m. …All other secondary schools besides Elmore Stoutt High School will have a full day of classes.”

Honourable Wheatley stated that students of the Elmore Stoutt High School will attend classes utilising a half-day shift system. Classes for students on the morning shift will begin at 8:00 a.m. while classes for students on the afternoon session will begin at 12:30 p.m.

“The shift system is to facilitate the completion of infrastructural works on the main campus, which includes additional buildings to accommodate senior school students presently housed at Pasea Estate, and the growing population of Junior School students. It is expected to be completed by 2022,” Honorable Wheatley said.

Students of the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College will return to classes on August 25 with registration commencing from August 10 to 11. Returning students may register between August 16 to 23.

All COVID-19 protocols in schools will be updated and made available to parents and public as needed.

Schools will be mandated to abide by protocols. The Ministry of Education, Culture, Youth Affairs, Fisheries and Agriculture is asking for the cooperation and diligence of all stakeholder to ensure that individuals within the schools are protected.

To watch the full statement, visit the Government’s Facebook page @BVIGovernment or click here. To read the full statement, visit the Government’s website, bvi.gov.vg or click here.