After much consultation with stakeholders and guidance from the Ministry of Health and Wellness, the Ministry of Education, Sustainable Development, Innovation, Science, Technology and Vocational Training has taken a decision to reopen schools, in the physical setting, on Monday October 25, 2021, on a phased basis. Key grade levels will resume in this first instance and include Kindergarten, Grade Six and Forms Four and Five. The reopening of special education schools has been postponed and a pronouncement on the new date will be made in the coming week.
The Ministry also stated that the School Feeding Programme and Transportation Subsidy Programme will also resume on Monday October 25, 2021. Parents and guardians of students who are currently assigned to the Transportation Subsidy Programme are asked to note that students will continue with the same drivers as the last academic year.
The Ministry wishes to reiterate the importance of following the guidelines set out by schools and the protocols instituted by the Ministry of Health and Wellness. Further, any spike in COVID-19 cases may result in another closure of schools, and so the Ministry again makes an appeal to parents, guardians, students and the wider community to continue to comply with the protocols and guidelines to ensure that our students are not further disadvantaged.