He was speaking at the Annual Teachers Professional Day which has come before the reopening of schools for face-to-face classes.

“This semester is going to be so trying that it is only going to be the words and the inspiration of each other and your prayers that will get you through. I challenge you to take a day out of every week to inspire each other because at the end of the day you only have your fraternity and family to get you through this,” the Premier told educators.

“I cannot tell you when things are going to get better, but since we cannot work on what is around us, we can work on what is in us. That is the only thing that will help us in this school year and while [the government] takes care of all the situations that must be fixed, I encourage you to take pride in inspiring your students,” he stated.

Also speaking at the event, Education Minister Dr Natalio Wheatley said the ongoing pandemic has sparked a new appreciation of teachers, particularly among parents, who were tasked with teaching responsibilities when physical schools were closed.

The minister later declared the 2021-2022 academic year officially open.