SEVENTH STATEMENT FROM MINISTRY AND DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION ON CORONAVIRUS UPDATED ARRANGEMENTS FOR TERM THREE

The Ministry and Department of Education inform all principals, staff, parents and students of the following updated arrangements for Term Three. These arrangements will go into effect from Monday 25th May 2020.

Primary Schools

Grades K to 4 will have three (3) half days of classroom time each week at their respective schools in accordance with the following schedule:

• Grade K – Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday 8:25am to 12:00 noon;
• Grade 1 – Monday and Tuesday 1:00pm to 3:30pm; Thursday 8:25am to 12:00 noon;
• Grade 2 – Wednesday, Thursday and Friday 1:00pm to 3:30pm;
• Grade 3 – Monday and Tuesday 1:00pm to 3:30pm; Friday 8:25am to 12:00 noon;
• Grade 4 – Wednesday, Thursday and Friday 1:00pm to 3:30pm

Grade 5 will continue on the current schedule from 8:25am to 12:00 noon daily.

Grade 6 will continue on the current schedule from 8:25am to 3:00pm daily.

Students in Special Education Needs (SEN) Units will have five (5) half days of classroom time each week from 8:25am to 12:00 noon.

Remote learning will continue when the students are not in the classroom.

This approach will give students some contact time with their teachers while ensuring that the health risks can be appropriately managed and the recommended protocols observed. Parents are reminded of the importance of picking up their children on time.

Secondary School

• Students of Forms 3 and 4, WISE, PRU, DOVE II and Special Education Needs (SEN) will return to the classroom and their regular schedule. A blended learning approach will be adopted so that the E-learning platform will still be used where appropriate.
• Forms 5 and 6 will remain on their current schedules.
• Remote learning will continue for Forms 1 and 2 until further notice.

All protocols regarding social distancing, health and sanitation and remote learning, remain in full effect as outlined in the statement issued on 6th May 2020.

The Ministry and Department of Education again assure all stakeholders that every effort has been and will be made to ensure the safety of students and staff. Parents who have children in the grades designated to return to the classroom and who do not wish for their children to return, are asked to contact the children’s teacher or principal to arrange for work to be assigned and completed at home under parental supervision.

We continue to encourage the general public to remain calm and to follow the advisories from the Ministry of Health. Let’s beat Covid-19 together!

Honourable Cora Richardson Hodge
Minister of Home Affairs and Education
21st May 2020