This was announced by Deputy Premier, Minister for Education, Culture, Youth Affairs, Fisheries and Agriculture, Dr The Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) in a May 6, 2021, statement.

Stakeholders engaged - Dr Wheatley

“I am now pleased to announce that having engaged with the relevant stakeholders, we are now ready to implement the planned shift system to have all senior students attending classes five days a week with effect from Monday, May 10, 2021.”

According to the Minister, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, students were previously divided into groups for scheduling purposes so there will be two shifts, with the morning shift beginning at 8:40 a.m. and ending at 11:55 a.m. for groups 10A, 11A, and 12A.

“The afternoon shift will be for students in Group B and it will begin at 12:40 p.m. and end at 3:55 p.m. Transportation will be provided for students to move between campuses to attend technical/lab classes.”

Hon Wheatley reminded parents and members of the public the COVID-19 pandemic is still ‘unprecedented’ as such, adjustments must be made to ensure students have more classroom access.

The announcement for school five days a week was made by Deputy Premier, Minister for Education, Culture, Youth Affairs, Fisheries and Agriculture, Dr The Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R5) in a May 6, 2021, statement.

More on-site classes needed

“As we seek to make the necessary adjustments to ensure that our children will have more on-site class sessions, I, therefore, ask for your continued cooperation and support. We will continue to evaluate our present system and make necessary adjustments to improve as we move forward,” he said.

The Minister said that while he is aware of some concerns about the reduced instructional time for single sessions, he assured that the ministry is considering additional measures to support students.

“I also wish to reiterate that students will continue to do practice exercises, homework and other activities when they are not attending face-to-face sessions. The use of our Google classrooms and other online platforms will continue as teachers will supplement their contact sessions using the platform,” he said.