Parents have expressed concerns over the recent announcement by the Ministry of Education that school will reopen September 7, 2020.
Many say the ministry should have already made this announcement and that the date set for reopening is not feasible.
“The Ministry of Education should have already informed parents of their plans and let us know what’s up, because honestly I don’t see no possibility of school opening in September,” one parent said.
“I’m paranoid at home much less to let my seven-year-old go to school, a place where before if one child has a flu, the entire class has it. I can’t speak for other parents, but I would rather my child be behind in class than contracting Covid-19 because if it’s one child that won’t be attending school in September, it’s mine.
“I’m in no way at all comfortable about this. I’ll continue to home-school and find every educational activity to keep her engaged, but she won’t be sitting in any classroom until the government gets their ducks in a straight row.”
Another raised the concern of the influx of students from private schools into the public school system as many parents, having not worked in months, may not be able to meet the payment of school fees.
“If they come up with a plan that can promise the safety of the children, I’m okay with that. However, I’m not too optimistic about it. There is first the issue of adequate spacing for proper social distancing, the surety of students maintaining safe distance when outside the classroom, and the health challenges associated with keeping the masks on for prolonged periods,” the concerned parent said.
Another explained, “Even if schools implement a shift system, there is still the issue of teachers working longer hours to accommodate this. Plus, the classrooms would need to be properly sanitised before the next shift begins.
“I truly believe as a parent that they may have to continue online teaching/learning for now. Look at it this way, our children will just get an early start in adjusting to what college/university learning platforms are like. Finally, if this is explored, I pray that extensive training is done with the teachers so that the children receive an optimum level of the teaching experience.”
The government has scheduled a press conference in early August to further update the public about the plans.
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I stand firm with all the parents that won’t be sending their children to school in September and if they are going to protest I will be present as well, after doing all in my power to protect my children from covid How do they expect me to now send them out to be exposed to that virus? Look around even the adults themselves don’t want to wear their masks that’s why they are being arrested and charged how do they expect children to wear mask for a prolonged period of time? How do they expect the children to keep to themselves when they haven’t seen each other for so long? I support online learning. Parents speak up let your voice be heard these are our children and we have to protect them!!!
Well said!
I understand how the parents feel. However, it’s some of these same parents who will tell you about not having data for online classes. It’s some of these parents who tell you that the teacher is sending too much work! We need to realize that nobody got a trial run with dealing with a pandemic. It’s a lot of trial and error
Well said,
It is every parents responsibility to protect their children this is a pandemic and we all have to do what we have to do. Covid 19 is spreading in the community! Did you not read or listen to the news other countries are starting to have imported cases of corona from Antigua and Barbuda this is not just the common cold or flu it’s much worse. Did you not hear about what happened in France when they reopened school some months ago? 70 children caught Covid that’s 70 families exposed…I say keep the SUGP vouchers and give each child what they will need for online learning this is no time for trial and error!!
I totally agree with not reopening schools after all isn’t it still a state of emergency? The govt need to come together and help with providing tools for parents to assist with online classes at home for students. What happened if 100 children from let’s say 10 schools get infected then what? Where do we place them to get better? Then families will become infected as well
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