Minister of Education, Technological and Vocational Training, Santia Bradshaw, will hold consultations with teachers next week to get their input on the safe reopening of schools.
The meetings will begin on Tuesday and will be held at the Wildey Gymnasium, Wildey, St Michael, and the Samuel Jackman Prescod Institute of Technology (SJPI), Pine, St Michael.
Noting that there was a lot of anxiety over the reopening of schools in September, Bradshaw said over the past few weeks, the Ministry engaged in discussions with various stakeholders.
They met with the trade unions and the Ministry of Health & Wellness to look at any additional protocols which may have to be put in place for staff and students for the new school year. They also received input from principals and ministry officials “at the level of various subcommittees, and those discussions are ongoing”.
She said it was equally important to get input from teachers.
“I believe that they, too, have to be given the opportunity to directly express their concerns, and to make recommendations as we try to navigate together these uncharted waters which have been presented by the COVID-19 pandemic. After all, they are the ones who have to interface directly with our students. And while we continue to engage with the unions, I think they also deserve the opportunity to have a forum to speak directly to me as well,” she emphasised.
Teachers from primary, secondary, nursery and special schools are expected to attend the consultations.
The Minister will meet with secondary school teachers on Tuesday and primary school teachers on Wednesday. Both meetings will be held at the Wildey Gymnasium, from 9 to 11:30 a.m.
Bradshaw will hold meetings with teachers from nursery and special schools on Friday at the SJPI. Nursery school teachers will also meet from 9 to 11:30 a.m. and teachers from special schools from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. All COVID-19 safety protocols will be in place for the meetings. (PR/SAT)
