Education Ministry Issues Guidelines For Re-Opening Schools On 7th February

Following the recent announcement that students in Standard 5 as well as Forms 1 - 3 will return to the physical classroom from 7th February 2022, the Ministry of Education has released the Guidelines for the re-opening of schools in Phase 3.

The Ministry notes that the Academic Year 2021/2022 commenced virtually on 6th September 2021. Prime Minister Keith Rowley, on the advice of the Ministry of Health, declared schools opened for physical classes on a phased basis, as follows:

• Phase 1 commenced on 4th October 2021 for fully vaccinated students of Forms 4 - 6.
• Phase 2 commenced on 25th October 2021 for all students of Forms 4 - 6 at secondary schools, regardless of vaccination status, and for all students of special schools. Students at primary schools, students of Forms 1 - 3 and ECCE Centres, will continue to attend school virtually.
• Phase 3 commences in Term II, with students of Forms 1 - 3 and students of Standard 5 carded to return to the physical classroom from 7th February 2022.

You can view the lengthy 53-page Guidelines document by hitting the button below, or continue on for the key points.

VIEW GUIDELINES [PDF FORMAT]

Primary Schools:

• Students of Standard 5 to attend physical classes 4 days a week from 7th February - 29th March 2022.
• School hours to be 8:30am - 2pm for students, allowing teachers an in-school, 1 hour planning period daily from 2pm - 3pm.
• One day a week — Wednesdays to be reserved for thorough cleaning of the school compound — synchronous online classes to be held on this day for all Standard 5 students.
• SEA to be held on 31st March 2022.
• Standard 4 students to continue online learning for Term II.
• Students of Standard 4 to attend school physically 4 days a week in Term III (April 2022 — Wednesdays to be reserved for thorough cleaning of the schools and synchronous online teaching).
• Standard 5 students to engage in virtual learning in Term III. CPDD and SSSD to provide guidance and/or suitable enrichment programs for this cohort to enhance their transition to secondary school and personal development.
• Standard 3 students to attend school physically on a rotational basis in Term III along with Standard 4.
• Classes to be divided into 2 groups which attend school on alternate days such that each student of Standard 3 attends school physically, at minimum, unless otherwise approved by the MOE: 2 full days weekly; 5 full days in a 10-day cycle.

​ECCE:

• Students to attend school from Term III (April 2022).
• Students to be divided into 2 class groups by age: 3+ and 4+.
• Each group to attend school physically for 2 full consecutive days
• Wednesdays to be set aside for thorough cleaning of the equipment and premises.
• Each group to rotate their 2-day physical attendance cycle weekly.
• Schools to operate from 9am - 1pm daily for students.
• Students to wear plain cloth or disposable masks on the school compound — no patterned masks.
• Parents to supply at least 2 masks in students' bags daily for changing if required during the day.

​General Guidelines for Schools

• Schools should revert to normal (pre-Covid) hours of school operations with the exception of primary schools which will operate from 8am to 2pm for students and 1 hour in-school planning period daily from 2pm - 3pm. Consideration can be given for exceptions to this timeframe on a case by case basis bearing in mind that any changes may affect PTSC school transport arrangement.
• Secondary schools should revert to pre-Covid guidelines for construct of Timetable. Primary schools (Standard 5) will also use the pre-Covid guidelines for construct of Timetable but bearing in mind that students will be in classes from 8am - 2pm. All teachers at secondary schools are expected to report for duty daily.
• Daily reminders of safety protocol to be broadcast over school PA systems at least 5 times daily — morning assembly, morning break, at the start and end of lunch break, and at school dismissal. A pre-recorded message can be utilized for this purpose.
• Student attendance will be monitored by use of an electronic/online register. Schools are not required at this time to use both the physical and the online register.
• Entry protocols (handwashing, temperature checks, contact information collection) to be
• enforced and strictly adhered to.
• Universal masking to be strictly enforced for all staff and students.
• Safety signage to be placed and maintained at strategic areas of the school.
• Social distancing markers to be placed and maintained in common areas. Social distancing of at least 3 feet to be observed in non-classroom spaces such as cafeterias, libraries and quadrangles.
• As far as possible, teaching spaces to be utilized to accommodate 50% of the regular class size.
• Opportunities for congregation to be eliminated — no whole school assemblies, mass meetings.
• To minimize student interaction, a staggering of break and lunch times should be implemented. An example is for the lower classes to be given break/lunch 15 minutes prior to the upper classes to reduce the number of students at the cafeteria/washroom at the same time. A system for supervision of students must be implemented.
• Extra-curricular activities which can operate virtually to be allowed and encouraged.
• Rapid testing to be made available for school personnel through Education District Health Unit.
• The MOE COVID-19 Management Procedures for use in each District and County to be sent to schools and posted on the MOE website for ease of reference.
• COVID-19 Management FAQs and infographics to be made available based on the approved MOE COVID-19 Management Procedures and posted on the MOE Website for ease of reference.
• The MOE to utilise existing procedures to restrict students identified as contacts to COVID positive persons from attending school.
• The use of AC to be reduced as much as possible in classrooms and specialist areas.
• Fans to be used in classrooms as much as possible to promote ventilation.
• All schools to be provided with at least one temporary staff member to assist in supervisory functions.
• For the duration of the Academic Year, Principals are to guide parents/guardians with respect to acceptable deviations to school uniform.
• Additional teacher support will be provided to temporarily fill teaching vacancies at schools and to provide supervisory support as needed based on the Individual School Re-opening Plan.
• Principals must ensure that lines of communication remain open and parents are aware of changes to timetabling schedules. The timetable will advise parents of the hours their charges are expected to be at school.

Uniforms

The Ministry of Education is cognizant of the important safety aspect of being able to identify a child wearing a school uniform, however, being mindful of the extended physical absence from school since March 2020 and the economic challenges experienced by some parents, schools are mandated to relax uniform requirements.

In the circumstances, schools are advised as follows:

1. Where possible, students must wear the standard uniform when reporting to school.
2. As an alternative, the wearing of the school's P.E. uniform, or other school apparel, is permissible once it bears the school logo:
3. The wearing of footwear that deviates from the standard colour is permissible.
4. Parents/guardians must seek approval from the school Principal if their child is unable to wear the school uniform/P.E. uniform/school apparel bearing school logo/footwear of the standard colour.
5. Principals are to guide parents or guardians with respect to suitable attire to be worn, in the absence of the school's standard uniform, P.E. uniform or other school apparel bearing the school's logo.

​Guidelines for Parents

The following guidelines have been issued by the Centre for Disease Control to assist with the virtual or at home learning:

• Try to find a space where you live that is free of distractions, noise, and clutter for leaming and doing homework. This could be a quiet, well-lit place in your dining room or living room or a corner of your home that could fit a small table, if available.
• Try to attend school activities and meetings. Schools may offer more of these virtually. These meetings can be a way to express any concerns you may have about the school's plans.
• Create a schedule with your child and make a commitment to stick with it. Structure and routine can greatly help your child from falling behind with assignments. A family calendar or other visuals could be useful for keeping track of deadlines and assignments.
• Find out if students have regular opportunities for live video instruction by teachers or if they will primarily be watching pre-recorded videos and receive accompanying assignments.
• If your child receives mental health or behavioral services (e.g. social skills training. counseling), ask your school how these services will continue during virtual at-home learning.
• If your school offers a hybrid model, be familiar with your school's plan for how they will communicate with families when a positive case or exposure to someone with COVID-19 is identified and ensure student privacy is upheld.
• Watch for and anticipate behavior changes in your child (e.g., excessive crying or irritation, excessive worry or sadness, unhealthy eating or sleeping habits, difficulty concentrating), which may be signs of your child struggling with stress and anxiety.
• Talk with your child about how school is going and about interactions with classmates and teachers. Find out how your child is feeling and communicate that what they may be feeling is normal.
• You can be a role model for your child by practicing self-care: take breaks, get plenty of sleep, exercise, eat well, stay socially connected.