Online teaching to continue

Over the next two weeks, online teaching will continue across Barbados’ primary and secondary school system.

Minister of Education Santia Bradshaw said she met with representatives from the Barbados Association of Principals of Public Secondary Schools, the Association of Principals of Public Primary Schools, the Barbados Secondary Teachers’ Union and the Barbados Union of Teachers on Thursday.

Bradshaw said there was consensus on the way forward because no one wanted to see children denied the opportunity to learn.

She was speaking during the COVID-19 management update later that evening from Ilaro Court.

On Tuesday, Prime Minister Mia Mottley announced a lockdown from February 3 to 17, and an extended curfew from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. to curb the spread of the COVID-19.

The Minister of Education said everyone agreed it was a difficult time, but no one wanted the children to fall behind and they were “committed to doing the right thing”.

She thanked the principals and teachers who were embracing the challenges of the new learning environment.

Bradshaw said there would continue to be a skeleton staff at schools. This included teachers who did not have access to technology at home, security officers and ancillary staff who would maintain the premises. She advised principals to work with ancillary staff and take those with comorbidities out of the rotation.

Everyone else, Bradshaw said, should work remotely.

She said devices were still being accessed, programmed and distributed to both students and teachers. (SAT)