By: Precious Mills
BASSETERRE, St.Kitts (Friday 3rd July 2020) — In light of COVID-19 safety guidelines, new Minister of Education Jonel Powell has informed about plans for the phased reopening of schools, including a requirement that early childhood centres get checked for approval ahead of the new school year in September 2020.
In an address to the nation on Thursday 2nd July, he disclosed that summer break will begin after Friday 10th July, followed by the new school year on Monday 7th September 2020. “The Ministry of Education will take a phased approach to the physical reopening of learning institutions, necessitated in order to ensure that schools can effectively implement and sustain the health, hygiene, and safety protocols,” he said.
On the early childhood centres: “We are moving towards effectively living and working with the threat of COVID-19, and as more and more of our citizens transition back to the workforce, the care and welfare of our youngest citizens will remain of utmost priority. Proprietors and supervisors of nurseries and preschools are asked to contact the Early Childhood Development Unit at 466-2810 for guidance on the application process.”