Schools in Barbados to reopen on Feb 21: Minister McConney

Barbados: The country would witness the reopening of the schools in the coming two weeks. This major announcement was made by newly elected education minister Kay McConney.

Recently, minister of education McConney stated that the ministry had conducted a meeting with the associated shareholders, and they have decided to reopen the schools, both private as well as public, from February 21. She further claimed that meeting members have been finalizing a roadmap to bring students back to the classroom on February 21. McConney further said that the ministry of education and shareholders have attended around five meetings.

She further claimed that the motive behind the meeting was to finalize a safe option for the students to attend face-to-face classes from February 21, 2022. The minister further emphasized that students have suffered from learning loss during the pandemic because of the inability to attend online classes due to lack of internet services, electricity and the latest gadgets. She further said that the students had faced a lack of supervision and parental control because of the virtual classes.

Earlier, it was decided that the face-to-face classes in Barbados’ school would continue from January 24, but the date was postponed after the discussion with the Ministry of Health and Wellness.

Amid all these discussions, parents have been raising concern over the safety of their children in the school. One such concerned parent raised a question if a child’s parents are suffering from the coronavirus, then how he or she will attend the school?

However, the Ministry of Education has assured that the safety of teachers and students would be an utmost priority. The ministry further claimed that the education and health ministry would join hands to safeguard the health of the children and teachers.

Meanwhile, as of February 4, Barbados reported around 618 new COVID-19 cases in the last 24 hours. So far, the government of Barbados have been administrating the Pfizer vaccine, Johnson & Johnson vaccine, AstraZeneca vaccine, Sinopharm BBIBP vaccine; against the deadly virus.