Schools to reopen as planned unless there’s big COVID jump

WESTERN BUREAU:

Schools will reopen on September 7 for the 2020-2021 academic year barring any significant uptick in the ongoing spike in COVID-19 cases locally.

The disclosure was made by Education Minister Karl Samuda at the 56th annual conference of the Jamaica Teachers’ Association in Montego Bay on Wednesday.

Schools were ordered closed on March 13, three days after the first novel coronavirus case was identified here.

“The only thing that would cause a delay of school is if we continue to have unusual spikes,” Samuda told journalists following his address.

While admitting that he was concerned about the emerging crisis in quarantined St Thomas communities, Samuda pledged that appropriate measures have been taken to contain the spread of the virus.

“So, only in circumstances where there is this kind of sudden outbreak that it would give us cause. Other than that, we are fully prepared and ready to reopen schools,” Samuda said confidently.

Samuda further noted that provisions have been made to accommodate a safe re-entry to school. He said that systems would be put in place for round-the-clock sanitisation and the maintenance of social distancing.

“Where it still poses a problem, we have sought alternative arrangements with churches and other organisations that have space that can provide the children with face-to-face [classes] or by way of online learning. So I would say, generally speaking, barring a tragic and sudden outbreak, we will proceed to open on the 7th,” said Samuda.

Some parents and educators have openly expressed concern about whether the reopening of schools should be sanctioned.

“I am not comfortable with this situation at all ... . If you have been following what is happening in the United States, you will see that some of the schools that were reopened had to be closed again because of fresh outbreaks of COVID-19,” said St James resident Maxine Smith.

She is worried about sending her two daughters back to school.

“All the indiscipline ... with what is happening on the political campaign trail and with so many people no longer wearing masks, I believe we are on shaky ground, and extreme caution might be the way to go,” Smith said.