Meeting this week to settle on timeframe for resumption of classes

Having cauterised the spread of COVID-19 in Barbados, the Mia Mottley administration is now talking about the resumption of face-to-face classes.

This was disclosed earlier this morning by Prime Minister Mottley, as she spoke on the 2021-22 Estimate of Revenue and Expenditure in the House of Assembly. The Prime Minister has tasked her Minister of Education, Technological and Vocational Training, Santia Bradshaw to meet this week with teachers and principals to make decisions on the resumption of face-to-face classes for the nation’s children.

It is expected that this meeting would settle on a timeframe and framework for the resumption of classes. In addressing the nation’s parliament not too long ago, Mottley admitted that the children had suffered disproportionately from COVID-19.

The contemplation to resume face-to-face classes in Barbados comes amid a UNICEF Study, which presented a strong case for face-to-face classes to resume in the Caribbean island. This development comes as stakeholders in the education sector continue to discuss the best approach for the reopening of schools, especially as it relates to mitigating the public health risks to students and school staff.

Consensus for face-to-face classes to resume

There was a consensus among the participants that face-to-face classes were more conducive to learning, rather than the virtual setting. Additionally, the stakeholders also expressed the view that they felt safe returning to the physical classroom, noting that they were generally satisfied with the safety protocols in place.

Back in December 2020, the nation’s students at the primary and secondary level, both public and fee-paying met with Minister Bradshaw and advised her that they want to go back to school fearing they may be falling behind in their studies. The minister met with students on the way forward for classes in a COVID-19 environment to seek their feedback on the current system and how it can be improved. 

According to the Barbados Education Minister, “many of them expressed that there are some households where it is very difficult for them to engage in the online environment. There are lots of distractions whether it is parents or neighbours there is a lot of noise in the background making it very difficult for them to concentrate. As a consequence, they feel as if they are falling behind.”

She pointed out that a number of areas were explored in order to find a solution for those preparing for the Common Entrance Examination and the Caribbean Examination Council (CXC) exams. The Ministry was at that time considering recommendations to extend the school day or provide additional lessons