Public Schools Will ‘Open Remotely’ In January
“Public schools will open remotely January 5th through January 12th,” the Ministry confirmed this evening, adding that they “will meet again the first week of January to determine if any additional adjustments will need to be made to the in-class start date of January 13th for all schools.”
A spokesperson said, “The Minister of Education, the Hon. Diallo Rabain, JP, MP met with the Education Emergency Measures Committee [EEMC] to review plans for reopening public schools in the New Year. Following the meeting, the EEMC agreed to commence term two remotely.”
Minister Rabain said, “The EEMC met on December 16th and December 18th to discuss the reopening of schools for the winter term that begins on January 5th 2021.
“After careful consideration and a review of several options to reopen, public schools will open remotely from January 5th through January 12th. Teachers will begin online learning and non-digital packages will be distributed to students as required.”
The statement added, “In consideration of Dame Marjorie Bean Hope Academy, the EEMC will have further discussions to determine the best methods to meet the needs of the school and parents and staff commencing January 5th. Parents and staff will be notified first relating to any decisions for the school.
“The EEMC will meet again the first week of January to determine if any additional adjustments will need to be made to the in-class start date of January 13th for all schools, including DAME and senior schools.”
Minister Rabain added, “We recognise that the decision to continue remote learning until January 12th may be inconvenient for many families and we apologize for this.
“However, our intent is to alert parents now in order for them to accommodate students remaining at home for remote learning. The EEMC will meet again the first week of January to determine if any additional adjustments will need to be made to the in-class start date of January 13th. We will provide an update to our school community and the public following the EEMC meeting in early January.”
The representatives of the EEMC include the Ministry of Education, the Department of Education, the Bermuda Union of Teachers, the Bermuda Public Services Union, the Bermuda Industrial Union, the Department of Health, the Department of Communications, and Members of the Legislature.
