Within a detailed address to the public, Minister of Education Dr. the Honorable Natalio Wheatley announced that senior students preparing to sit standardized examinations will be allowed to access school campuses soon.
Minister Wheatley said “We have come to realize that in spite of our best efforts to move online learning fully, there are some groups of students that are not being adequately served…therefore, Cabinet, in its wisdom, decided to allow a limited number of students with specific needs on campus.”
Once inspected and certified by the Chief Environmental Health Officer prior to opening, the Minister said “access should be granted to students in senior grades, who are preparing for and/or sitting standardized exams, or with special requirements (whether attending public, private or church schools)”.
However, this will be done in a staggered schedule to enable safe distancing protocols and reduce the chances of transmission between teachers and students.
The education Minister further stated ” in the coming weeks, the Ministry of Education will be working very closely with the Ministry of Health officials to implement Cabinet’s decision.”
The Public Health COVID-19 Control and Suppression Measures Order, 2020 will come into effect on the Tuesday 2nd June, 2020.