Basseterre, St. Kitts, August 25, 2020 (ZIZ News):Chief Education Officer, Dr Debbie Isaac says a shift system has been implemented in several of the nation’s primary and secondary schools ahead of the opening of the 2020-2021 Academic year.
During Wednesday’s NEOC briefing at the NEMA, Dr. Isaac said the new shift system has been put in place to ensure the safety of staff, teachers and students during the COVID-19 pandemic.
She said Washington Archibald High and Basseterre High School will be placed on the shift system. The primary schools placed on a shift system include Sandy Point Primary, Dr. William Connor Primary, Cotton Thomas Comprehensive and Tucker Clarke Primary.
The Chief Education Officer then spoke in detail about some of the changes that are being made to protect and accommodate students at Cotton Thomas Comprehensive.
“The infants department which includes the early stimulation, autistic and visually impaired along with the skills classes will be at school all day that is from 8:30 am -2:30 pm. These students will not wear the face masks while on the school compound. All the other classes will be on a morning and afternoon shift. All students on the shift system (within Cotton Thomas) will be required to wear face masks while they’re at school”, she noted.
She said there will be a morning and afternoon shift and added that school meals will be provided for students during both sessions. She also explained that parents can expect the school bus to pick up students affected by the shift system around its usual time in the morning and at 11 am for the afternoon shift.
In light of this, she explained that primary school students who are not on the shift system will not be allowed to leave the premises for lunch break.
“Those students in the primary schools who will not be on shift system will not be allowed to leave the school compound for lunch. Parents you will be asked to provide packed lunches for your child or ward as the case may be”, she said.
All teachers in the federation will begin training with the Microsoft teams from Friday August 28 to Thursday September 3.
Dr. Isaac reminded that all teachers must report to their school on Monday September 7 and Tuesday September 8 while primary and secondary school students along with Cotton Thomas Comprehensive are expected to return on Wednesday September 9.
Early Childhood students return in full on Monday September 7.