Statement by the Minister of Education Hon. Dr. Gale TC Rigobert:
Today Monday October 12, 2020 marks the 6th week since the commencement of the new academic year on Monday September 7th 2020, when we welcomed our students and teachers back to the classrooms officially.
Ahead of the reopening and in light of COVID-19, officials of the Department of Education met with many stakeholders to ensure that the reopening of school was done in a clinical, logical and uncompromising manner. I would like to reassure everyone that the health and well-being of our students and school staff remain a paramount concern.
In light of the most recent case of COVID-19, the Department of Education has been monitoring the situation and will continue to seek the advice and guidance of the Ministry of Health. We have always maintained that the situation remains quite fluid and that we stand prepared to take the necessary steps to safeguard the wellbeing of our children and school staff.
We have heard from the health and medical experts that the Coronavirus is very likely to be with us for a very long time. Therefore, we must be confident, that as a nation, we have the capacity to make the required adjustments to the “New Normal” and this includes keeping our children informed and safe while teaching and learning continue.
As Minister with responsibility for Education, I, therefore, ask everyone, particularly our students, parents, teachers and school personnel, to continue to obey the protocols; wear a mask when in public spaces, obey the physical distancing rules and wash hands and sanitize frequently. It is also advisable to avoid mass crowd events as much as possible and if children show any signs of illness, do keep them at home and seek medical attention if necessary.
We have faith in our children, we love them and we believe in them. With the continued support from parents, teachers, stakeholders and our communities, coupled with my Government and the Ministry of Education efforts, we will continue to ensure that no child is left behind in our delivery of a comprehensive, globally competitive, relevant and affordable education.
