Full-week, face-to-face classes starts April 19
The Education Minister has announced that as of Monday, April 19, most schools will begin having face-to-face classes five days a week, similar to what was obtained before COVID-19 started impacting the BVI.
Dr Natalio Wheatley made the announcement in the House of the Assembly on Thursday, April 15.
According to the Minister, the Elmore Stoutt High School, Bregado Flax Educational Centre and the Enid Scatliffe Pre-Primary School will continue to utilise the hybrid-shift system and gradually increase the number of students daily.
“Due to the number of students enrolled at the Elmore Stoutt High School, selected groups from Grade 7 through 9 are attending classes on campus while the majority of students in those grades remain in online classes. However, with the possibility of having a three-feet distance setup (in classrooms), gradually more sessions on campus will be introduced,” the minister explained.
For senior high schoolers at Elmore Stoutt, the Dr Wheatley said plans are being made to implement a shift system so all students may be able to attend classes five days weekly.
“While the major setback for all three schools are centred on the shortage of resources to accommodate the student population, the ongoing reconstruction at Bregado Flax Educational Centre Secondary Division, is an additional constraint with the rebuilding works on Buildings II and III.” Minister Wheatley pointed out.
He said due to the construction at this school, the number of students on campus has been limited to technical students, marginalised groups, and special education students.
However, all students and teachers are expected back on campus at the end of May when construction works are scheduled to be completed
As for the Ivan Dawson Primary School, the Minister said repairs are completed at that campus and clean-up efforts are scheduled to take place once resources become available.
All sanitisation and hygiene protocols will continue at educational facilities.
According to the Minister, the Elmore Stoutt High School, Bregado Flax Educational Centre and the Enid Scatliffe Pre-Primary School will continue to utilise the hybrid-shift system and gradually increase the number of students daily.
“Due to the number of students enrolled at the Elmore Stoutt High School, selected groups from Grade 7 through 9 are attending classes on campus while the majority of students in those grades remain in online classes. However, with the possibility of having a three-feet distance setup (in classrooms), gradually more sessions on campus will be introduced,” the minister explained.
For senior high schoolers at Elmore Stoutt, the Dr Wheatley said plans are being made to implement a shift system so all students may be able to attend classes five days weekly.
“While the major setback for all three schools are centred on the shortage of resources to accommodate the student population, the ongoing reconstruction at Bregado Flax Educational Centre Secondary Division, is an additional constraint with the rebuilding works on Buildings II and III.” Minister Wheatley pointed out.
He said due to the construction at this school, the number of students on campus has been limited to technical students, marginalised groups, and special education students.
However, all students and teachers are expected back on campus at the end of May when construction works are scheduled to be completed
As for the Ivan Dawson Primary School, the Minister said repairs are completed at that campus and clean-up efforts are scheduled to take place once resources become available.
All sanitisation and hygiene protocols will continue at educational facilities.
