Last Updated on September 17, 2021, 4:48 AM AST by Renaldo St Juste
While addressing the nation, Education Minister Jonel Powell highlighted that the transformation of the educational system would take place due to the community spread of COVID-19 in St Kitts and Nevis.
Minister Powell said that in recent times, several of their schools and early childhood facilities had been impacted by Covid-19. The Ministry of Education was working while collaborating with the Ministry of Health to first and while focusing primarily on the safety of all and mitigate the further spread of the virus.
While explaining that how the emergency system had highlighted in the Ministry of Education’s guidelines for Re-opening of Schools determines the logistical arrangements, Minister Powell said that the emergency monitoring and response system that has been established for schools had been used to guide decision-making. The emergency system comprises of four levels ranging from 0 to 4.
While explaining the levels, Minister Powell said, “LEVEL 0: School is open for onsite instruction, and all students can attend school. LEVEL 1: School is open for onsite instruction but on a shift system to accommodate physical distancing with a large school population. Thus, students attend school at designated times,” he said. “LEVEL 2: School is open, but testing and contact tracing is ordered by the Ministry of Health. A level 2 designation is assigned when: A student or staff member has flu like symptoms or has been exposed to a positive COVID-19 case; A student or staff member whose immediate family, or a relative who they have had significant close contact with, is in quarantine; A student or staff member has tested positive for COVID-19. LEVEL 3: School is closed by the Ministry of Education, under the guidance of the National COVID-19 Task Force.”
The Ministry of Education has been working hard to prove the theme for the 2021-2022 academic year: Safeguarding me! Safeguarding you! Together let’s push through.
Renaldo St Juste, with his connection across the regions excels in providing all the regional updates from across the caribbean nation. His reporting majorly includes covering entertainment, crime and sports.
