BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - FEDERAL Minister of Education, Jonel Powell has sent a stern warning to those parents who continue to knowingly send their sick children to school, noting that they could be charged under the current regulations.
In recent weeks there has been an uptick in the number of confirmed cases being present in schools and among children, and the Minister has acknowledged that they have found sick children entering the schools.
“Those parents can be charged under the COVID-19 Act. And this is why we are saying that the whole resumption of school and the opening of schools must be a partnership between the Ministry of Education and the other stakeholders. For example, teachers as well as parents,” the Minister told reporters recently.
He acknowledged that the Ministry is doing all it possibly could to provide a safe environment for children to learn, “but parents need to be responsible and adhere to rules and regulations. If you are supposed to be in isolation or quarantine, then stay home, do not send your children to school”.
Just recently a number of educational institutions were forced to return to remote learning after it was discovered that there were positive cases among staff and students.
Among those institutions were the Charles E. Mills Secondary School (CEMS) and the Washington Archibald High School.
In the case of the latter, two students were identified as coming from a household where positive cases were reported and were deemed as possible contacts, while at CEMSS a teacher had tested positive and, out of precaution, officials reverted to remote learning.
In some instances, there were single classes that were disrupted due to similar reports of positive cases.
Reiterating his disgust over the problem, Powell lamented to reporters that the issue is the irresponsible behaviour that continues to be demonstrated by those persons who are not serious about the virus.
“We have too many cases where students have come from homes where parents know that they have been identified through contact tracing and know that they should be isolated and are still sending children to school,” disclosed Powell.
He acknowledged that these are difficult times for parents, but urged the guardians of students to be responsible, careful and vigilant.
The Federation has seen a significant uptick in the number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 and deaths. Over the last two days there were at least 50 confirmed cases, and over the weekend the Federation recorded its 10th COVID-related death.
