He said “Therefore, we will return to online learning for the rest of the year. This includes all public schools and private schools, and our primary, secondary, and tertiary learning institutions.”

He further said that Cabinet will continue to evaluate the Territory’s situation in the coming weeks and months and will determine when it will be safe to return to in-class learning.

Dr. Wheatley explained that due to serious reality he decided not to proceed with the plan to reopen school for face-to-face instruction this year.

He said “In light of this extremely serious reality, I cannot in good conscience proceed with the plan to reopen schools to face to face instruction. This will place administrators, teachers, support staff, and, our most precious resource, our children all at risk. “

For private schools, classes can begin as early as Monday 31st August 2020.

The government will be providing orientation and training focusing on the online platforms pecifically, in the areas of Power School, the VIDE textbooks full usage and Google classroom for assessment, evaluations and lesson planning.

These session will be available to educators, parents, students and support staff members of these institutions, commencing 1st September, 2020.

During the week of the 14th – 18th September, the Ministry of Education will be conducting a Kindergarten Readiness Assessment and Student Orientation.

On 21st September, 2020, all classes for public school students will commence.