Face-face classes resumed in Barbados today and, from most accounts, it was smooth sailing.
Classes have been conducted online for months to curb spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).
When a Nation News team visited Parkinson Memorial, in The Pine, St Michael, students were being given instructions for their first day back to school.
Senior teacher Sheldon Hope was directing first form students to their various classrooms while parents were waiting to be addressed.
Chief Education Officer, Dr Ramona Archer-Bradshaw said from what she had observed, there were no major hiccups with schools reopening.
She was at St Stephens Primary, Black Rock, St Michael, touring the facility, where she interacted with infant classes and Class 4 pupils.
When asked to respond to the issue of no one being at schools when students are dropped off early, Archer-Bradshaw said arrangements would have to be made between the principals and parents of individual schools.
Students of the Blackman & Gollop Primary School started arriving as early as 7 a.m. today. However, when parents reached the Staple Grove, Christ Church School, there were no safety monitors or teachers to direct pupils.
One irate shuttle driver, who gave his name as “Marshall”, questioned how schools could be open with no supervision on the premises.
The Ministry of Education announced last week that face-to-face classes would resume today in a phased manner.
The start of school was delayed from the original January 9 target as officials worked to prepare schools, some of which were used as isolation facilities for COVID-19 patients. (RA)
