BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - AS part of its measured approach to combat the spread of COVID-19 in the Federation among students, the Government will reopen schools in a phased approach at a time when the active cases passed 1,000.
The Ministry of Education will only reopen school tomorrow (Jan. 10) for fifth form students and those from the early childhood development institutions across the Federation.
That announcement was made by Minister of Education Jonel Powell.
While speaking at Friday (Jan. 7) NEOC media brief, the Minister revealed that all other institutions would reopen on Monday, January 24 on both St. Kitts and Nevis, since the decision was taken at the Federal level.
According to Powell, the decision to reopen for fifth form students is due to them needing the face-to-face contact time as they prepare for the upcoming Caribbean Examination Council exams slated for May/June this year.
“Therefore, the main objectives during this two week period are to ensure that these students are able to complete their SBAs and remain on target for the completion of the CXC syllabus in time for the exams,” he told the nation at the media brief.
The Federation has seen a significant spike during the last two weeks due to the Omicron Variant of the virus during what health officials described as the fourth wave of the virus.
Statistics from the Ministry of Health showed that St. Kitts and Nevis recorded 4,145 cases of the virus, of which 1,049 are active. Over the last two days, the Federation reported 240 cases of the virus.
Minister Powell noted that his Ministry believes that the health and safety of all students, teachers and staff must be given top priority at this time, reminding continuing to educate students is equally as important.
However, during this period, parents are urged to have students use the time to focus on revision and any other work that teachers provide.
Meanwhile, the Clarence Fitzroy Bryant College will reopen on January 18, while all of the primary schools and forms one through four will resume face-to-face learning on January 24.
