A post-Cabinet Ministerial Statement and press conference by Minister of Education Santia Bradshaw.
Minister of Education Santia Bradshaw
- It has not been easy in the year since COVID-19 forced the closure of schools.
- In Term 1 there was a blended approach to learning.
- Both teachers and students had to make the transition.
- No one was prepared for what occurred.
- In Term 1, over 60 per cent of students engaged in face-to-face education.
- Students remained at home for Term 2 due to the spike in COVID-19 cases.
- There was also the emergence of MIS-C, the illness affecting children exposed to COVID-19.
- The Minister thanked those in the private sector who provided support.
- COVID-19 exposed and widened the inequalities in society.
- The Ministry was able to get into the homes of children.
- Those who are disruptive in the school are crying for help and they can’t be ignored.
- There is a greater understanding of the role stakeholders play.
- The question is not if, but when children need to go back to the classroom.
- Extended time away from the classroom is eroding the gains made in education.
- Risks must be balanced.
- There was consultation with the Ministries of Health and Transport.
- An Oversight and Monitoring Committee was set up in Term 2.
- There are serious challenges in the online environment.
- The Ministry met with parents and guardians.
- The Ministry met with the trade unions. They don’t always see eye to eye, but there is a common desire to do what has to be done in the interest of the children.
- The online environment is difficult for teachers.
- Some students are not logging on.
- Some are missing the School Meals because parents were laid off.
- Minister Bradshaw thanked the children who reached out to her.
- After a meeting with Cabinet some decisions were made on education.
- There are fears surrounding returning to the classroom.
- Precautions and preventative measures in returning to the classroom must be taken as we do for the hurricane season.
- The United Nations commended Barbados for placing Safety Monitors in the schools to assist teachers.
- Over 1500 teachers were vaccinated, about 800 are due tomorrow.
- This is past the halfway point.
- The Ministry expects a greater uptake.
- April 19, 2021 is the return date for teachers and ancillary staff.
- School will start on April 20, 2021 for specific students.
- All Class 3 and Class 4 at the primary level.
- All Fifth and Six Form at secondary level.
- These are the ones preparing for exams.
- The facility for deferral is there for those who are not prepared.
- The other students will have three days in the classroom and two days online.
- If the positivity rate continues to fall, more children will be back in the classroom.
- Nursery students will also be allowed to return to school.
- School time will be from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- The day will be shorter in addition to mask breaks.
- The school environment must be kept clean for all.
- If there are cases in the schools, no time will be wasted in addressing it.
- Barbados has vaccinated more people than any other Caribbean country.
- The COVID Monitoring Unit and Island Constables will be on the ground.
- We cannot lose any more instructional time in the classroom.
- This is leading to a rise in mental health issues among students and teachers.
- Don’t ask why now, it is a question of why not now.
- There are four weeks before school starts.
- During that time everything will be fine-tuned.
- A date for the Common Entrance will not be announced at this time.
- There is still too much anxiety surrounding the exam.
- Teachers need at least 4 weeks of face-to-face to complete the syllabus.
- This does not determine readiness to sit the exam.
- The Ministry has control over the exam.
- Blackman and Gollop will no longer function as an insolation facility.
