Guidelines for Schools Given the New Norm

Preparations are underway for students to return to the classrooms on August tenth within days of the reopening the Philip Goldson Airport.  The Chief Education Officer says that there will be new norms as it relates to infrastructure at schools as well as the way classes are administered. First, the use of masks and sanitization will be enforced and as it relates to social distancing, school will have to make a determination because of space concerns. The Ministry of Education has developed guidelines to assist schools, but they are also expecting school managements to suggest its plans on providing quality education given the new norm.

Carol Babb

Dr. Carol Babb, Chief Education Officer

“School will definitely be different; we have to social distance three to six feet. So that means that bigger schools like Holy Redeemer, schools like Bella Vista in the rural area of the Toledo District they will have to have shift systems because you know that those classrooms are not big enough to accommodate thirty to forty children social distance even with three feet that classroom is not big enough. So we will encourage schools to advise us how they intend to social distance. And then they will have to write to the ministry to provide their plan. They will also have to provide other facilities; they will be the need for wash hand basins, so schools will have to include that. They will have to ask the community for the support. We have a plan where they should be at least one hand basin to about forty students so imagine a school of four hundred students. And the norm will be different. They will need to have someone at the gate so that as anyone enters, there will be the need to hand wash before entering and children in the classroom will need to hand wash about five to six times in the morning and maybe about three or four time for the afternoon session. So it will be a new norm. Children under six are not expected to use masks at this time.”

Duane Moody

“So there is a guideline?”

Dr. Carol Babb

“There is a guideline. We do have a guideline that provides all the information. So parents you are welcome to get a copy of that guideline. Call the Ministry of Education and we can share with you an e-copy.”