KINGSTON – Prime Minister Andrew Holness has advised that after consultation with the Ministry of Education, all public schools will be closed as of Friday, March 13, for 14 days.
Holness who was speaking at a press conference here on Wednesday said the decision will be reviewed after ten days.
“I believe we have given notice. Tomorrow would have been a low turnout day anyway as was today.
“Parents will now have Saturday and Sunday to make further preparations for their children and that would give us time to complete our preparations to ensure that those schools that do not have Internet connectivity that they could receive materials to distribute to students so they can continue their education at home,” he said.
Meanwhile, Chief Education Officer in the Ministry of Education Dr Grace McLean indicated that the Primary Exit Profile (PEP) examinations have been postponed.
Performance Task assessments for Language Arts were scheduled for Thursday, March 19 and Mathematics for Friday, March 20.
McLean said if new dates are not possible, then the results of the grade-five and grade-six assessments will be used.
(CMC)
