Opening of state and private educational institutions delayed |12 January 2021

All private and public educational institutions will remain closed until further notice, the Ministry of Education has said in a press release.

This is in line with advicereceived from the Ministry of Health.

The government, in conjunction with public health authorities, will keep the situation under ongoing review.

School was expected to resume on Monday January 18 after the December holidays.

In order to minimise the adverse impact on teaching and learning, all schools will be encouraged to plan lessons and where possible, provide online resources for their students, or online lessons where schools are equipped to do so.

In addition, the Ministry of Education will be featuring supplementary lessons via SBC and Telesesel. Calendar of lessons/activities will be provided in the printed media, on the ministry’s Facebook Page and website.

Furthermore, no physical classes will be held during the closure. Institutions can make arrangements for teaching and learning and other activities in line with their business continuity plans and contingency planning.

During this time, all pupils and students are recommended to follow the guidelines set down by the Ministry of Health in order to avoid the spread of Covid-19. These are:

● Wear a mask in public places and where physical distancing cannot be maintained

● Practise hand hygiene regularly

● Avoid gatherings and crowds

● Avoid sharing objects.

Parents and guardians are urgedto support their children to maintain this approach.

The Ministry of Education is deeply conscious of the impact that schools and education settings closure have on students, on families and on the wider community.

However, this is a necessity as a pro-active measure to help contain the spread of Covid-19.

This decision is being taken in the best interest of our children, our young people, our school communities and our wider society.

Press release from the Ministry of Education