First Day Of School: Education Ministry Update
Public schools commenced the first day of school today [Sept 9] via remote learning, and the Ministry said ”we recognise that remote learning is not ideal, and we are actively seeking ways to move us forward.”
A Government spokesperson said, “Today Bermuda Public Schools commenced the first day of school for students. Many schools began the day with energising remote assemblies and one-on-one lessons to welcome students to a new year of learning for the 2021-2022 academic year.
“We are happy to share that by next week we will have Chromebooks in the hands of 1349 students from Primary 3 to Primary 6. These are devices that students will use for in-person or remote learning, and when doing assignments at home.”
The Minister of Education Diallo Rabain said, “As we have said before, we recognise that remote learning is not ideal, and we are actively seeking ways to move us forward.”
“The decisions regarding remote learning must consider a number of factors, such as the status of the country; Covid-19 developments at schools; the number of staff absences for schools; the number of staff absences for the system; and the availability of substitutes.”
Minister Rabain added, “As we have seen, the landscape of what is happening in individual schools and across the system can change within a matter of hours. For example, when we last reported about staff absences, we were at 119 absences; however, there were 130 absences yesterday.
“Given the country’s current status, numbers are changing overnight, especially since the absences are combined with those that are not related to quarantining due to Covid-19 exposure.”
“These factors are monitored closely, and the data is used to make decisions about in-person learning and remote learning. As it stands, we are hopeful that we may be able to open all preschools, Dame and Success Academy Robert’s Avenue for in-person learning next week.”
“We are still engaged in discussions and reviewing data for schools at other levels to determine when they can open. However, we know that students who attend Dalton E. Tucker and Purvis Primary Schools will continue with remote learning for all of next week, along with the students at Dellwood Middle School.”
Minister Rabain concluded, “While we explore solutions, we are also planning for a testing schedule for staff and students. We are presently awaiting confirmation of the dates, times, and venues for testing.”
“We hope to be positioned to have more information to share about the testing schedule tomorrow, and we can provide further updates.”
In addition to public schools, multiple private schools have also implemented some levels of remote learning due to Covid-19.
opening our schools puts us ALL at risk now, including the children
there needs to be remote learning until we get pass this wave
why are people quick to put everyone at risk so they do not have to tend to ‘their own children’
this is not our first remote learning rodeo, so what is the problem
if everyone just did what was required then 2-4 weeks is all we’ll need
lock down will come due to our children traveling to and from school, doing in person learning and being around each other
donations of laptops from the public and private sector would be great right now
now is the time to make the change for
“…A BRIGHTER FUTURE & A BETTER LIFE..”